Adams welcomes LeBron challenge
As if Steven Adams and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s road to an NBA championship wasn’t already tough enough, they’ll now have to get through LeBron James.
With the four-time league MVP leaving the Eastern Conference to join the Los Angeles Lakers, the Western Conference has become even more of a minefield to navigate.
Adding the task of beating James to that of getting past super teams such as the Golden State Warriors is a big challenge but it’s one the big Kiwi is happy to accept.
“It doesn’t mean the East is bad, it’s just different,” Adams said of the strength of the Western Conference. “NBA teams are good regardless. It should be fun, though, our conference should be fun.
“[Super teams] are not unbeatable, it’s just really tough to beat them — it’s a really tough challenge. I’m not saying you Standout Kiwi basketball prospect Max Darling has made an unprecedented career move.
The 17-year-old has bypassed the traditional routes for young Kiwi talents, snubbing the New Zealand Breakers and US college system and instead signing a multi-year deal with top-tier Croatian side KK Vrijednosnice Osijek.
The forward showed his ability as one of the most promising New Zealand talents in the NBL this year, winning Rookie of the Year and displaying immense defensive potential while playing for the Canterbury Rams.
cannot beat a super team, you just have to do everything a lot more perfectly.”
James’ addition to the Western Conference means all active players who have been named league MVP line up in the West: James in LA, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant with the Warriors, James Harden in Houston, Derrick Rose in Minnesota, Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas and Russell Westbrook at OKC.
With Westbrook and fellow OKC star Paul George making longterm commitments to stay with the Thunder, Adams is confident his side are up to the task they’ll face in the season ahead.
“It’s not just them. Yes, obviously they’re terrific players, very skilled, yada yada yada, but it’s the consistency of the team. They’re two players on the team, there’s 15 players.
“Having the same core guys helps a lot, especially with culture building. Whenever a new guy comes in, you can get them up to date faster, so it helps a lot. But not just them two, but having guys like Jerami [Grant], Pat Patterson, and guys like that.”
While the majority of the Thunder remained with the team through all the off-season player movement, former All Star forward Carmelo Anthony moved on, signing a one-year deal in Houston.