Adams torn on All Star game
Steven Adams enjoys his All Star break in the NBA. But he also knows how big it would be for his home country if he somehow made it to the big game next month.
Adams moved up to sixth among Western Conference frontcourt players with 1,034,014 votes in the NBA’s latest release of fan vote figures yesterday.
It has the Oklahoma City Thunder centre in the running to be the first New Zealander to play the All Star game in Charlotte on February 17. Speaking to ESPN, Adams grinned at the dilemma he faces, knowing how many Kiwis and other fans have voted for his inclusion.
‘‘I do like my All Star break, mate, it’s a tough season,’’ he told ESPN.
‘‘But I think a lot of people would like to see me there, and I think it’ll be really big for the country in New Zealand.
‘‘If I’m being selfish, mate, I’d probably like a wee break.’’
Adams has taken his game to a new level for the Thunder (25-15) who sit third on the Western Conference standings.
In the All Star voting, Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James leads all players with 2,779,812 fan votes while Dallas Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic (2,220,077) continues to rank second in the West.
Adams’ team-mate Paul George (1,859,216) has moved up to third in the West frontcourt calculations, followed by the Warriors’ Kevin Durant (1,717,968) and the New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis (1,564,347), with Adams next on the list.