Westbrook will point the way, says Adams
STEVEN Adams always provides the smiles at Oklahoma City Thunder training camp media day. That’s a given. But ahead of his fourth season in the NBA, the towering Kiwi also offered a moment or two of utter clarity.
This is a pivotal juncture for the Thunder. Remember that. Gone is franchise cornerstone Kevin Durant, as well as longtime sidekick Serge Ibaka. Two massive pieces of this organisation who many figured would be around for as long as they were lacing ‘em up in the NBA.
But one thing is abundantly clear: this is now newly re-signed Russell Westbrook’s team as it goes about rebuilding, rebranding and retooling.
Adams, the 23-year-old New Zealander, starting centre for the Thunder and quite possibly their second best player overall, made that more than clear as he faced an inquisitive media gaggle ahead of the start of training camp today.
Asked what he’d seen from Westbrook in terms of his leadership over the traditional summer workouts in Los Angeles, Adams provided a telling response that would have resonated with those in OKC concerned about this franchise’s ability to remain relevant without Durant’s steely presence.
‘‘I see no change which is good,’’ Adams declared in a rare moment of seriousness. ‘‘I don’t really like when people have to react to situations because then it gives more chance for something to go wrong. He’s kept solid the whole time from what I’ve seen this summer, and that’s pretty much all we need – the same guy, the leadership role is always the same because he’s captain anyway, and it’s all the same stuff.
‘‘He holds everyone to a high standard, even himself to the highest standard. He’s the hardest on himself, and that’s all you can ask for from him.’’
Later Adams was asked what sort of numbers he thought Westbrook might put up this season as he took on that CHRIS SKELTON/FAIRFAX NZ responsibility.
‘‘Who knows,’’ deadpanned the gregarious Kiwi. ‘‘I’m not one to look at the numbers apart from the old scoreboard. All I know is he’s going to come in and do what he does, and that’s leadership, his effort is going to be there, and he’s going to do everything he can to win.
‘‘That’s what I can expect from him because he’s done that for his whole life. Other than that the numbers will just be whatever you guys reckon they will be.’’
It’s a pivotal time for Adams, too, as the Thunder weigh whether to offer the 2.13m centre a big-money contract extension ahead of an October 31 deadline, or leave any future deal till the next off-season when he will be a restricted free agent.
The hirsute big man made it clear it wasn’t a matter over which he was stressing.
‘‘If it gets done, cool, if not I’m still with the team right now and that’s all that matters. With the group of guys we have now, I’m still part of them and we still have to go out and do work every night.’’