Adams plays peacemaker
Like a bouncer at a nightclub or a parent of a tantrum-throwing toddler at a birthday party, Steven Adams calmly picked up the 112kg troublemaker and carried him away.
Adams has often been tagged the strongest man in the NBA and his role as a peacemaker during the Memphis Grizzlies’ 119-106 victory over the Chicago Bulls yesterday will only enhance that reputation.
During the fourth quarter, Memphis point guard Ja Morant got involved in a scuffle with Bulls centre Tony Bradley.
Adams being the closest to the skirmish was quick to intervene and wasn’t having his opposite number pick on his point guard.
But as the situation escalated, with neither player willing to let go of each other, Adams calmly picked up Bradley off the ground and carried him away from the scene.
The only thing more humorous than what was unfolding on the court was the exchange between the two commentators.
‘‘Steven Adams literally lifted Tony Bradley who is not a small guy ... he literally just lifted him up and carried him away from Ja Morant,’’ one said.
Bradley is listed as being 112 kg and 2.08m high. ‘‘Steven Adams decided to end that grasp,’’ the commentator continued.
‘‘There is no stronger man in the NBA than Steven Adams,’’ a second commentator said.
‘‘There certainly is not. And I think we saw that right there,’’ the first replied.
Meanwhile Morant and Desmond Bane scored 25 points each, as the Grizzlies dominated the short-handed Bulls for their 12th win in 13 games. Adams contributed 10 rebounds, six assists and two points from 23 minutes court time.