Steven Adams got his first taste of NBA basketball this week, playing for Oklahoma City's Summer League team. The Summer League is very much a developmental competition, with rosters full of rookies, D-League players and free agents. Nonetheless, 7 of the past 8 NBA Rookies of the Year plied their trade in Summer League play before their breakout seasons. OKC went on to win the Orlando tourney (there is another one in Vegas, with different teams, currently in progress), but we're gonna look specifically at Steven Adams, and what he can take out of this first major step towards NBA success.
The draft pick that OKC used to pick Adams was one of three acquired from Houston in the James Harden trade, which most Thunder fans will tell you is starting to look like an absolute bust for them. For the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year (plus change) OKC got back Kevin Martin (now a free agent), Jeremy Lamb, Steven Adams, and two future non-lottery draft picks. So, besides Lamb, Adams is the best chance that Oklahoma City have of salvaging that trade.
Luckily, Adams has all of the natural abilities needed to be a success as an NBA centre. He is very tall, around 7 foot depending on the source, and has an enormous 7'5" wingspan. He is also an above average athlete for a big guy, who can run the floor. These natural advantages make him a valuable project player, although more technical areas of his game need some refinement before he can be a full time contributor in the big time. OKC have their share of centres right now, so this is no issue for them. They will look to develop Adams into someone who can contribute solid defence off of the bench, and see where he goes from there. The Thunder really could use a dynamic big man to replace Kendrick Perkins, who really isn't good enough for a contending team. This makes Adams a worthy gamble (and like any player with unfulfilled potential, he is definitely a gamble), but he'll have to earn his stripes in the D-League before anything else.
First thing's first, Steven Adams will need to work on his defence. Once this is at a solid level, he will have a solid base to build his game upon. The offence comes later, as Adams has stressed in interviews recently. Scoring is a bonus. The signs were good in Orlando too. Adams played four games, at an average of 27 mins in each, with 6.5 rebounds a game and 5 blocks in total. He would have liked to grab a few more boards, but it was a solid effort for a guy who has been criticized for his lack of muscle in the paint during his year at Pittsburgh. OKC need to improve their defence, especially off of the bench, and this is where Adams could be a contributor down the stretch this year. The coaches and Adams himself all seemed pleased at his maturity and how he simplified his game to play to these strengths.
His shot blocking has the potential to be special with that wingspan of his. Plus he has Serge Ibaka, the best in the business, to learn from now. He also has an above average jump shot, which isn't all that common for players in his position. If he can develop this into a real weapon, this adds another useful scoring option for OKC. Adams is already showing a proficiency for setting screens and playing the pick and roll. When Reggie Jackson lit it up the other day, a large portion of his points came from running off of Adams' screens. Russell Westbrook in particular will be loving the sight of that. Without Harden, Durant and Westbrook need more help around the court in that area. Harden provided a crucial spark off of the bench, and was always full of energy and offensive penetration. Without that penetration, they looked stagnant at times, relying on Durant's (admittedly brilliant) jump shot. Adams may just be able to invite the ball carriers of the Thunder to attack the hoop more. You cannot read too much into these preseason camps, not yet anyway, but so long as Adams keeps improving that defensive positioning and pressure, and reeling in those rebounds, he will fit in well. He's sure showing the right attitude so far.
Off the court, Adams seems to be fitting in well too. His coaches at Pitt were all very forthcoming in their praise of Adams as a person. They all said he was a very laid back and likeable guy in the clubhouse, often seen strumming on his guitar for teammates. His attitude off the court lead to questions over how competitive he was in games, but this doesn't seem to have put anyone off. Adams certainly knows the importance of hard work and what it is to be part of a team. Not being a star in college, he is comfortable fitting in where the team needs him, as he has shown in his Summer League play.
