New-look Thunder look to Adams to step up
Caught up in the usual whirlwind of player movement that consumes the NBA off-season, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan is finding comfort in constancy.
The Thunder parted ways with long-time point guard and former league Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook, leaving Kiwi centre Steven Adams as the team’s longesttenured player.
During his time with the Thunder, Adams has established himself as a force on court and a big presence and
personality in the community. Now, heading into his seventh campaign with the Thunder, he’s expected to add the title of leader to his resume.
“We’re expecting big things out of Steven, being a veteran guy and being an anchor to our team,” Donovan told the Herald on Sunday. “What he’s done and what he’s meant to the organisation, we’re looking forward to seeing how much he’s improved from last year to this year.”
Adams is expected to be a point of focus for many spectators and pundits during pre-season play as he leads what will be a very different Thunder outfit, particularly when the side meets the New Zealand Breakers on October 11 (NZ time).
But Adams won’t be the only Kiwi connection familiar to Donovan when the Thunder meet the Breakers, with the Oklahoma coach having coached Breakers owner Matt Walsh during his college days at Florida.
It’s a relationship that has been maintained since Walsh’s final year of college in 2005. Earlier this year, the pair caught up while Walsh was in the US scouting talent.
The losses of Westbrook and Paul George saw the Thunder part ways with their first two options on offence. The pair scored 44 per cent of Oklahoma’s points the past two seasons.
With Donovan now having to plan around his new assets, including perennial all-star point guard Chris Paul and veteran forward Danilo Gallinari, he said it was too early to tell how it might affect Adams’ role on the court.
“I don’t know if his role definitely changes,” Donovan said. “Steven has always been a good team guy. I think however he can impact our team in a positive way, we’re going to have him do and Steven’s always been that way.”