Let me be clear, I love Steven Adams. When Nick ascends to coach status, Steven will become my favorite Thunder interview and depending on what Russell does…maybe my favorite Thunder player.
Steven has parts of Nick in him. Smart, tough, intelligent, and he’s funny. I met Steven in person this June at a 7-11 store in Nichols Hills. He was with his girlfriend and was getting gas on the other side of the pump I was using. You don’t realize how big Steven is until you’re standing next to him. I had my Thunder ball cap on and found myself gawking at Steven in awe. He looked at me with this great smile and said, “What’s up, mate?”
I said something like “Just getting some gas and a cold beer. How about you—why aren’t you in New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania or some other country Trump has insulted—it’s the off season.”
He responded,” You know, mate…it’s a bit of here and there.”
Keep in mind, I knew this would probably be my only chance to interview Steven for okcthunderground.com in the flesh. So I said,” I just want you to know how much we all enjoy having you play here in Oklahoma City.”
I meant it and he knew I did. He said, “Thanks, mate–appreciate it.”
So then I asked, “What about Russell? What do you think he’s going to do with his contract?”
“Wouldn’t know, mate. Went down that road last summer.”
I said, “Yeah, fuck Durant. I thought he was going to stay.”
“It’s the way it goes, mate. It’s a business.”
“Yeah, I guess, you want a beer?”
“No, mate. Thanks though, mate.”
So there’s my exclusive interview with Steven Adams. By my count, I was called mate seven times…which of course I loved. Little did I know at the time, Steven is fascinated by the butterfly garden at the Oklahoma City Zoo. That’s right in my wheelhouse in that I helped my wife put her butterfly garden in place out here at our place in Deer Creek. It is amazing this time of the year with all the monarchs and other species of butterflies. So…if I ever run into Steven again at that 7/11 we’re talking butterfly gardens. Enes is gone so he might need a new mate to talk to then and again. You never know.
Anyway, I expect a very good season from Steven as he starts the first year of his new contract. With the additions of PG, Melo, Patterson, and Felton–I expect there will be oceans of space and time for the pick and roll with Steven finishing at the rim. I’m thinking 12 points and 10 rebounds a game would be good goals for Steven this season. I mean, he’s only going to get so many touches, but I expect a very good season from Steven. And since Russell has his Oscar Robertson record from last season…he needs to quit mooching some of Steve’s rebounds.
So here’s Steven talking Enes Kanter and butterfly gardens.