Why Stan’s the man for Steven Adams
For Steven Adams, the relationship with his coach is paramount. The Kiwi NBA star is a strict believer in the parameters set by the guy running the show and has carved out a successful sevenyear career on the basis of that.
So, it was telling to hear, two days into pre-season training camp with the New Orleans Pelicans, his first impressions of his third NBA coach – Stan Van Gundy, 61. He has previously played under Scott Brooks (2013-15) and Billy Donovan (2015-20) at the OKC Thunder.
Van Gundy is one of the more colourful NBA coaches out there and it is going to be interesting to observe the bond he forms with his 2.11m Kiwi enforcer as they both figure things out in their first years with this franchise.
Like Adams, Van Gundy came in during the off-season when the Pelicans fired Alvin Gentry after missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.
Also like Adams, Van Gundy is seen as a difference-maker for a club looking to build something special from the foundation blocks of an outstanding young roster. The 27-year-old New Zealander, who played all his seven previous seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, provides crucial veteran leadership for the Pelicans, as well as a steely defensive presence, blue-collar work ethic and proven toughness. He’s also a decent rebounder and capable interior scorer.
It is very much early days with this rejigged Pelicans roster. Adams and combo guard Eric Bledsoe are the key off-season additions and they are just two days into their training camp, with Van Gundy sticking strictly to fundamentals through the early going.
But Adams likes what he’s seen thus far, as he shared on a call with reporters yesterday.
‘‘What I meant by old school is that he’s been around the game for a long time,’’ explained Adams of an earlier summation of Van Gundy who has coached at the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons through a 17-year NBA career that has also included some broadcast work.
‘‘He’s a good dude, man, pretty straight up. He’s got a powerful voice. He’s about yay high (he gestures with his arm) ... not very big, but a powerful dude, man, when he bloody tells you off.
Good dude, man, good coach, [but] still early days yet.’’
Asked the importance of players understanding their roles in the NBA, Adams said: ‘‘It’s not perfect black and white. Basketball is never that. There are always these grey areas where your structure, your rules the coach puts in, you’re allowed to play within this box, and when you push the boundaries it’s case by case.
‘‘As long as you do what the coach asks, because he’s running the show, it’s fine. That’s the most important thing about playing for your team-mates ... [but] we have to win, that needs to be the outcome.’’