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Thunder News: Steven Adams To Start Over Kendrick Perkins

By Maxwell Ogden

Oct 10, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) fight for the ball during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) fight for the ball during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The future has arrived.

In a highly-anticipated move, Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman reports that the Oklahoma City Thunder have named Kendrick Perkins.

Adams learned about the news just as you and I did.

"Steven Adams heard the news minutes after everyone else. What was long expected was finally official — Scott Brooks named Adams the Thunder’s starting center.Then the media broke it to the 21-year-old.“When’d I learn?” Adams asked. “You just told me.”"

A pleasant surprise.

Adams, 21, was selected No. 12 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. Born in New Zealand, he spent a season with the Pittsburgh Panthers before declaring for the draft as a 7’0″ and 255-pound big man with an infectious level of energy.

In his rookie year, Adams averaged 3.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14.8 minutes of action. Beyond the stat sheet was the same motor that made him a lottery pick.

One issue that Adams consistently had was getting into foul trouble. Per Slater, he’s ready to address that.

"“I have to be much smarter about fouling,” Adams admitted. “It’s really hard to find the balance between being physical and trying not to foul. I just go up to the refs, most of the refs are good, actually all of them. They’ll warn me first ‘Ah, cut that out, don’t do this, don’t bite them,’ stuff like that. I guess I’ll get in a lot of foul trouble anyway, that’s what I’m thinking. Just cause I play a bit rough.”"

If he can cut down on the fouls, Adams can be a very effective player. He’ll be immediately valuable with Kevin Durant sidelined and Russell Westbrook in need of complementary assets.

As for Perkins, the 29-year-old averaged 3.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 19.5 minutes of action. Respected as an enforcer, Perkins’ lack of production and underwhelming athleticism have drawn the ire of many fans and analysts.

Adams wasn’t extremely productive, but his quality of play, level of athleticism and unbridled physicality made him the obvious choice to become the starting 5 at some point in his career.

Clearly, the time is now.