Oklahoma City Thunder: 2017-18 player grades for Steven Adams

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on prior to Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Weaknesses

Adams was not able to improve defensively. He was 40th in defensive rating in 2016-17 and then he dropped to 52nd this past year.

That is big when your frontcourt defensive anchor is not taking his game to the next level, especially with the defensive sieve like Carmelo Anthony occupying the 4-spot.

While Adams was great at boxing out and the Thunder were great at rebounding the ball last season, Adams was not great at tipping in the ball. On tip dunk shots, he was 37.5 percent and on a tip layups, he was 38.0 percent.

Adams did not have many weaknesses this year as he had a career year in scoring and rebounding. It will be exciting to see how he follows this year up. Overall, he had a really great season when you factor in that he was the fourth option, and in a generation where centers are expected to stretch the floor.

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