Busy Adams has the final say for Thunder
As advertised, Steven Adams has started the new NBA season for the Oklahoma City Thunder as a much more focal point of their offence.
He also took on some extra responsibilities as Russell Westbrook’s minder in a hardfought, come-from-behind 103-97 victory at the Philadelphia 76ers.
Adams’ contribution was vital for the new-look Thunder team which never really found its rhythm in an unimpressive opening game of the season. The 23-year-old New Zealander played 36 minutes in total and finished with 16 points on seven-of-16 shooting, along with five rebounds, three steals and an assist.
The 2.13m Kiwi had the Thunder’s best plus/minus of their opening game, with a +13 indicating good things tended to happen while he was on court.
He also helped diffuse a potentially explosive moment when Westbrook was confronted by a Sixers fan beyond the baseline who responded to a successful andone drive to the basket by gesturing at the Thunder guard with the middle fingers of both hands.
With Westbrook appearing angered by the fan’s actions, Adams got involved and later told reporters in the locker-room he just wanted to make sure his teammate wasn’t provoked into any actions he might have regretted.
‘‘I didn’t say much, bro. You just don’t do that,’’ Adams said. ‘‘It’s just a respect thing, mate, you don’t just come in there and rock in real hot and think you’re tough because we can’t touch you.
‘‘I didn’t want him [Westbrook] to get out of his game so I just tried to tell him to calm down or whatever. They’re just passionate fans, man, they love their team.’’
Adams added Westbrook’s response had been what was required: ‘‘He didn’t punch anyone or anything. That would have been the worst outcome. He just walked away from it, which was good from him.’’
Adams had 10 of his 16 points in a busy second quarter where he connected with Westbrook on a couple of nice feeds down the middle for dunks, and also showed off his new one-handed push shot, as well as a pretty skyhook that found nothing but net.
He said it had been good to get the win, and especially to close it out with three big defensive stops, though there was plenty the Thunder could improve on as they head towards their home opener against the Phoenix Suns tomorrow.
‘‘That’s all great but we kind of went away from how we wanted to play,’’ Adams told the Thunder’s reporter at the game. ‘‘Thankfully we pulled together and made some good plays down the end but it shouldn’t get to that. It’s good we stuck together and came back though, that’s a positive.’’
Adams called for a better effort at both ends of the floor against the Suns.
‘‘On defence it’s making sure the drives, and the deep paint we keep that under control. On the offensive end it’s running our stuff and going side to side and making them guard. I felt like we kind of got away from what we were working on. It’s first game, it’s always going to be kinda shaky.’’
Adams also had an interesting matchup against Sixers big man Joel Embiid who was making his first regular season appearance for the franchise after two years dealing with injuries. He finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and two blocks and had a bit to say during his physical confrontation with the big Kiwi.
Late in the game after being fouled by Adams, Embiid yelled ‘‘he can’t guard me’’ while standing at the foul-line. He repeated the call soon after, though it was Adams who had the final say with the Thunder getting up for the win.
Westbrook came up big for OKC and finished just one assist off a triple-double with 32 points (11/21 FG, 1/2 3PT), 12 boards and nine dimes, while Enes Kanter added a valuable 17 points and 12 rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench.