Kiwi Steve in the NBA – March 24
Did you ever wonder why Dwight Howard gets so many more rebounds than Steven Adams? What? No, it’s nothing to do with talent or size or skill. Nope, not that Adams plays with rebound-heavy guards and forwards either. It’s because DH12 is cheating!!!
Okay, not strictly true, that. Howard’s having a tough time in Houston but he’s arguably the premier centre of the last decade. However he’s in a bit of a legal pickle at the mo’ after getting spotted spraying his hands with an ‘adhesive substance’ known as Stickum before re-entering the court in a recent loss to the Hawks. The issue came to light when Hawks’ star Paul Millsap complained about the feel of the ball:
“I’ve never felt the ball like that ever. It was sticky. It was like super glue or something was on there. I couldn’t get it off my hands. It was the weirdest thing ever.” – Paul Millsap
Howard said he’d always used this stuff, while a number of owners and executives also said it wasn’t a big deal. The NBA chose not to fine or suspend him for this but they did issue a memo to all teams saying that such strategies are “strictly prohibited”. Shout out to Yahoo Sports for the firm wording there.
But other players in his position have noted that, much like the fabled ‘shrinkage’ that occurs with the overuse of steroids, perhaps Dwight is suffering some sort of adverse side-effect…
Steven Adams: “Maybe that’s why he misses free throws, mate. Maybe? Like, ‘cause they go… I find it hard to shoot, like, really grippy stuff. It’ll just stick to your hands. And I suck already. So like… you know what I mean? I might try it out.”
Dwight Howard happens to be one of the dudes who hasn’t tried to punch Steven Adams out yet but if he’s feeling sensitive (and Kobe Bryant would tell you that that’s always the case) then next time they meet that might change. The last time they met the Thunder rolled to victory on the back of some full-on Hack-A-Howard, with DH12 shooting 4 of 15 free throws that game.
Funny story… that next game between Thunder and Rockets was played yesterday. (Hence the line of questioning, really). Did Howard try punch Steve out in retaliation? Come on, man, all in due time. It was a busy week.
Adams was also asked about the differences between guarding Howard and DeAndre Jordan, who he dealt with decently enough recently. Here’s NewsOK with that one:
When the Clippers were in OKC earlier this month, Adams did it well against DeAndre Jordan, preventing easy points with smart fouls. Is that harder to do against Howard or Jordan?
"DeAndre’s harder because he’s sharper," Adams said. "He’s not as muscly as Dwight. So Dwight’s got cushion. DeAndre’s elbows hurt, bro. Like, really. They’re sharp, bro. They hurt a lot. So that’s what’s the tough thing, knowing you could be hit anywhere. Manhood could be gone like that, man, risking everything to do this one thing. That’s what goes through your mind every time."
In other news, Adams was in top form at Kevin Durant’s charity event the other day. Jumpers with animals on them? Must have been watching a lil Flight of the Conchords recently or something. All power to ya, Steve.
He, err… might have been slightly underdressed. Though it looks like Cam Payne is wearing a zip-up sweater there so possibly not. Hey, you invite Steven Adams to your party then there are certain things you need to expect. Speaking of which, Steve if you’re reading we’re having a small something-something at Nichey HQ on Friday if you’re keen. No, still in OKC? Oh well, maybe next time…
Box Scores
- at BOS (W 130-109): 20 MINS, 5 PTS (2/3 FG, 1/2 FT), 8 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 PF
- at PHI (W 111-97): 26 MINS, 12 PTS (6/10 FG), 11 REB, 1 AST, 3 BLK, 1 PF
- at IND (W 115-111): 26 MINS, 11 PTS (5/6 FG, 1/2 FG), 2 REB, 1 AST, 3 STL, 2 PF
- vs HOU (W 111-107): 26 MINS, 8 PTS (3/4 FG, 2/3 FT), 3 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF
Things have been sloppy for the Thunder since the All Star Break but they were all sorts of good this week as they toured the Eastern Conference. Hey, the 76ers are a sitter of a win but then the Celtics and Pacers are probable playoff sides. As for the return home to face the Rockets, well, we’ll get to that. But by the time they’d found their way back to Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant had been named player of the week in the West and the Thunder had guaranteed a spot in the playoffs with 13 games remaining. That’s a pretty solid week by most accounts.
And it began in Boston, where the Thunder were looking to show that the clinic they put on against Portland in their previous game was the team they could be going forward, rather than a team that falters in the clutch. Not that that particular Achilles heel was ever tested against the Celts. The Thunder scored the first points of the game courtesy of a KD three and they never looked back. Up 18-6 midway through the first, Steven Adams hasn’t had much to do – the Celtics aren’t really a pound it down low sorta team. But they did rally while Steve and Durant were both off the court, closing it to 28-26 late in the first before OKC were able to get ‘em back at an arm’s length.
It was the triples that did it, the Thunder hitting a bunch of them early and shooting 12/29 overall, numbers skewed a little by the bench. The starters were 8/16. They’d lead by as many as 30 points, passing 100 with 2:25 remaining in the third, and never trailed at all in the game. Kind of a run in the park at time. Durant was magnificent, especially in the first getting things started, scoring 28 points with 9 assists (ball movement was very good). Westbrook scored 24 and Kanter 17. Isaiah Thomas scored 29 for the Celtics, who pulled it back somewhat in the final quarter (with OKC resting their starters) but they were comfortably outdone. Shout out to Dion Waiters, who made his return to the court after the death of his brother last week.
Fun fact from Elias for this game:
“Kevin Durant registered 28 points, seven rebounds and nine assists and teammate Russell Westbrook chipped in with 24 points, five rebounds and five assists in Oklahoma City’s win over the Celtics in Boston on Wednesday night. That marked the 21st time that Durant and Westbrook each recorded at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in the same game this season. That’s the most such games in a single season by a pair of teammates in NBA history, breaking the previous mark of 20 by Chicago’s Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in 1991-92.”
It also marked 53 consecutive games with 20 or more points for Kevin Durant (he’s done it in all but one game this season). Spoiler alert: That streak is now at 56 games and counting.
A very quiet one for Steve in Boston but he had a time of it in Philly, that’s for sure. The 76ers were never a real chance, losing their 17th game in their last 18 but that’s their problem. Steve helped plunder them with his fifth double-double of the season. Of course, Russell Westbrook went and one-upped him with his 13th triple-double of the season.
Players with 13 Trip-Dubs in a season in the past 25 years:
- Grant Hill (1996-97)
- Jason Kidd (2007-08)
- Russell Westbrook (2015-16)
Nobody has more in that time. Oh, except for Westbrook, who had another one in his following game. And the game following that. But we’ll get there in due time.
Not much to say about the 76ers game. Thunder turnovers kept it close than it ought to have been – in fat they were down by seven at one stage in the first half. With Jahlil Okafor out for Philly and Serge Ibaka rested for OKC, there was more room than usual for Steve to pop up with rebounds. Generally he finds himself boxing out the opposition centre so that Westbrook, Durant or Ibaka can swoop in and get the stat.
Steven Adams was a game-best +29 in plus/minus against the 76ers. He was certainly more involved than the previous game.
However he didn’t do this. Only Russell Westbrook did this:
Actually, Steven Adams didn’t even see that.
Stink that, but here’s one he got to star in, courtesy of NewsOK:
“Westbrook stole the ensuing inbound, tipping it away and kicking it to Foye. Foye didn't have an open shot, so he whipped it right back to Westbrook, now in the corner. As the defense flew his way, he drove by a defender, drew two more and curled around a beautiful set-up for Adams, who caught, rose and slammed in an uncontested dunk.
“That kills all your morale,” Adams said of the Sixers. “If you pass it in and it gets stolen right away, that's like one of the worst things that can happen. Ever.””
To the Pacers. A day after clinching a playoff spot, a win in Indiana would give them the division too. Fittingly, this one had a playoff feel to it as it quickly became a 1v1 between buddies Kevin Durant and Paul George. PG nailed a three to open the scoring and the Pacers would lead 13-2 a few minutes in, however come quarter time that lead was down to 28-27. Come halftime OKC were in front by 10.
Paul George was having a superb evening, getting to the line and tallying up points. With 18 in the third quarter he dragged the Pacers back and into the lead briefly. With 60 seconds to go, however, the Thunder had it in their hands at 112-104. Seemingly.
There was a bit of panic when Adams left the game in the fourth with a sore elbow. He looked in some pain as he checked out of the game but in his place Enes Kanter pulled one out of the bag. 15 points and 10 boards off the bench, he took full advantage of some rare crunch time mins.
So here’s what happened in that final minute. First, Paul George sets for a three pointer. Westbrook fouls him. The shot is good. Count it and the foul, suddenly that eight point lead was halved in one foul swoop. Literally. Kevin Durant, who was great with 33 points and 13 rebounds, missed a shot and turned it over with George Hill cutting it to three with a FT. 13 seconds left, Pacers with the ball. In came Steven Adams. Here’s the following possession, as explained by a couple different sources:
Welcome to Loud City: “The Pacers big play was a weak side flare screen for Paul George. Mahinmi set the screen and rolled to the basket. But KD followed Mahinmi, while Adams switched onto George. Adams ran out to deter the inevitable three, which rimmed out. Rebound KD, two made free throws, and the Thunder were up by 5. The game was basically over at that point. Just goes to show that Adams will always be the better defensive center, but there are definitely late-game situations in which you can use Kanter.”
Thunder Digest: “Head coach Billy Donovan inserted Adams back onto the floor and the choice proved wise. Adams correctly defended George who shot an off-balanced three while Adams stood his ground. Off the rim – ballgame Thunder.”
Durant made three of four free throws to ice the game from there. The one that he missed he did so deliberately to run out the last second of the clock. Thunder for the win, Westbrook with 14p/11r/14a. Paul George had 45 points in a losing effort.
Daily Thunder: “The fact Adams checked back in suggests he’s OK, but that did look like a pretty rough hyperextension on his elbow.”
Don’t worry, he’s all good.
And then we have the Rockets game. James Harden played despite being in doubt and Kevin Durant did the same. Neither was ever gonna miss this one. The Adams/Howard thing wasn’t much of a duel though, lots of tough stuff but not much niggle and not much on the foul front. A lot of that was because the Rockets don’t post him up much, preferring to hit him above the rim or not at all. That’s the way they play, though it’s also a fear about his free throw shooting. FTs weren’t a factor for him, though Howard still put up 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The Rockets took the early lead but James Harden wasn’t shooting it well, just 1 of 5 in the first. A 10-0 run by the Thunder put them up going into the second, only for Harden to find his touch with 11 2Q points. Westbrook wasn’t exactly lighting it up either with his shot, though the assists were coming hard and fast. Dion Waiters was the one bringing the offence. He’d score 17 with three trebles. The Rockets were up by one at half time and up by one after three as the score swung back and forward – there were 21 lead changes in this one. As for Kiwi Steve, he was largely quiet on the board, popping up with a few buckets.
Kanter played the first nine minutes of the fourth. The way he’s been playing, he’s been demanding more crunch time minutes, even the defence has been a lot better. He had a good one against Houston, logging 10p & 10r in his 22 minutes on the floor. But Patrick Beverley gave the Rockets the lead with an open three and with three minutes remaining, back in came Steve. First thing he did was to take advantage of an open lane and thump it to put OKC back on top. Next possession they grab a steal and Westbrook takes it all the way with a ferocious dunk.
An offensive board from Steve and some good post defence (standing up a late Ariza drive was big) helped the Thunder stay in control but then late triples from Beverley and Harden (and a missed Ibaka FT) meant HOU were only down by two with 11.9 seconds left… and then Harden just threw it away. Left handed, off balance lob to Howard which was at least a metre behind where it needed to be, with Adams stepping up help Westbrook on JH and try remove the chance of him driving to the basket. Russ made his free throws and OKC hold on for a nervier victory than it needed to be. Hey, the W is all that counts and this was a good one. Russ had 21p/13r/15a and Durant scored 23. Harden had 24 with 16 assists.
WTLC: “Steven Adams didn't have his best game. 8 Points, all near the rim or at the line. Adams only logged 23 minutes, and wasn't exactly the most intimidating double-team presence on the perimeter.”
Step-back jumpers attempted by Steven Adams this season: 0.
Thunderous Intentions on Serge Ibaka’s struggles:
“The Thunder are better with Ibaka on the floor offensively by 2.7 points per 100, but the defense is actually 5 points worse. He’s struggling to make an impact under the basket (4.3 rebounds per game), and his constant slumps are starting to become a thing of concern. Steven Adams might be slowly overtaking him as the best defensive big on the roster.”
Mo’ Bros
The Week in Moustache Jokes:
From Friendly Bounce: “Steven Adams, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s foremost authority on ponytails and growing mustaches championed predominantly by sketchy night club owners…”