Hoops Habit
Fansided

Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams discusses Paul George trade

By Kenneth Teape

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 16: Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder has a drink during the second half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on March 16, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 16: Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder has a drink during the second half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on March 16, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams discussed the team’s acquisition of Paul George.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams has quickly become of the more colorful players in the NBA. He is as recognizable as any player with his big beard (now gone, unfortunately), long hair and arm sleeve tattoo on his right arm.

Adams played one season at the University of Pittsburgh before declaring for the 2013 NBA Draft. The New Zealand native ended up being selected 12th overall by the Thunder and has developed nicely in his four seasons in the NBA.

Adams is turning into one of the better centers in the NBA. He knows his role on the Thunder and does it well. Adams controls the paint and is an enforcer for the Thunder on the inside. He has become an integral part of their success and has taken on more of a responsibility on the offensive side of the ball.

While Adams has undoubtedly grown offensively, he will be more than happy to relinquish some of those offensive attempts to his new teammate, Paul George.

Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder /

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder pulled off one of the biggest surprises of this offseason when they acquired George in a trade with the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers had been fielding offers for George for months.

Teams such as the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers emerged as suitors. The Thunder virtually came out of nowhere to land George, as Oklahoma City even surprised him as a landing spot.

To land George, the Thunder didn’t even have to surrender much. In exchange for George, the Thunder sent shooting guard Victor Oladipo and power forward Domantas Sabonis to Indiana. George will help push the Thunder into the upper echelon of the Western Conference, and Adams is happy to have him on the team.

Adams has been coaching clinics in his native New Zealand this summer, but had some time to catch up with Marc Hinton of The Dominion Post to discuss George being traded to Oklahoma City.

"“It should be good, man,” he told the assembled media at his Auckland coaching camp. “The front office does a good job of not bringing in … (a less than complimentary term beginning with D is proffered) … I’m not going to use that word. But along the lines of that.“They bring in really good people who fit well into the locker-room because all that matters, because you could bring in a really good player, but if they screw up the locker-room you’ll still lose games. And the whole point is winning games.“The front office does a great job of analysing them as a person and then bringing them in. We’re just lucky that Paul George is really, really good [as well].”"

Adams should benefit big time from George joining reigning MVP Russell Westbrook. Adams’ dirty work inside sometimes goes without much praise, but he should be able to continue dominating on the inside with those two generating so much attention on the perimeter.

With Westbrook as the only offensive threat for much of last season, Adams found difficulties in operating in the middle. There was just not as much room to operate with teams able to pack it in with the Thunder’s limited options. This season, things should be more open with two go-to scorers on the roster.

Adams will naturally move down the pecking order with George in town. It is something he is not too worried about, as he knows the coaching staff will put him and his teammates in a position to succeed.

"“Sure. I have no idea. The coach will put us in positions that work to our strengths. It depends on what the defence is doing. I’ll still be doing the same things.“It’s just some more challenges, man, I’ve got to learn and get better at.”"

Those same things include setting picks for his teammates and crashing the boards afterward. Adams should find plenty of offensive rebounding and put-back opportunities with Westbrook and George garnering so much attention.

Next: Oklahoma City Thunder Complete 2017 Offseason Grades

While adding another player that needs the ball in their hands, it would not be surprising to see Adams increase his scoring average for the fourth consecutive season. With so much attention being paid elsewhere, Adams will have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of offensively.

Home/Oklahoma City Thunder