Improve, boss thunders at Adams
Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams remains firmly in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s plans for the future, but he needs to improve areas of his game if he’s to make an impact on the league.
That was the message from Thunder general manager Sam Presti following calls for the centre to be traded after what began as a season of promise ended in familiar disappointment.
For the third year running the Thunder were booted from the playoffs in the first round, and Presti admitted they had their “ass kicked” by the Portland Trail Blazers this time around, falling to a 4-1 series loss.
Calls for Adams to be traded grew out of the frustration of another failed season, with the Kiwi big man failing to make a statistical impact on the series.
In what turned out to be the final match of the best-of-seven series, Adams was benched late in the game with the match in the balance due to foul trouble and match-up issues against the floorspreading Trail Blazers.
But while fans took to social media to voice their concerns, Presti maintained his faith in the 25-year-old but challenged him to work on his game, particularly his free throws, ahead of next season.
Much like Adams did in his own exit interview, Presti highlighted where the Kiwi centre needed to improve, challenging Adams to improve his free throws.
While Adams posted career-high numbers in most statistical categories this season, his ability at the charity stripe left a lot to be desired. The 25-year-old shot just 50 per cent from the line during the Thunder’s regular season campaign and below 40 per cent during the playoffs.
“If our free-throw shooting just gets to the league average it would have a significant impact on our offensive rating and net rating as result,” Presti said.
“Our free-throw shooting is like leading the league in walks and pick offs. We’re there, we’re doing the hardest thing, but we’re not capitalising and that’s a team thing.”
Presti also highlighted Adams’ ability to score, which came under fire from Thunder fans.
In the Thunder’s system, Adams has not been asked to shoot the ball away from the basket.
However, in a league that is moving towards accommodating big men who can shoot from mid-range and beyond the three-point line, Presti said it could be investigated.
“Maybe we can push Steven into a development phase where we can have him look at that. He can shoot the ball, and we’ve all seen it for years in the practice gym. Internal development is a lot of creativity and imagination and you’ve got to stick with that through the year.”