As is the case for all teams when their season ends, the Oklahoma City Thunder held exit interviews for their players prior to heading into the off-season. Generally, these interviews are pretty quick, and kind of bland.
Fortunately for all of us, that wasn’t the case when big man Steven Adams met with media to discuss his just completed rookie season. Some gems included:
On the biggest surprise about life in the NBA:
Probably the biggest thing is the private planes. Wow, that thing’s amazing. Got all the food on there, a bunch of drinks. I don’t know, It’s just amazing, never seen nothing like it. Tables, tables on planes, that’s amazing. That was probably the biggest ‘whoa’ for me, like ‘I made it’. This big private jet, you’re like ‘whoa.’
On his welcome to the NBA moment:
Probably the biggest reality check I’m in the NBA was in practice. That was probably the biggest ones. There would be a day, Perk, he was there. And we were like scrimmaging or whatever and we kinda got into it like we clashed. I’m innocent, I didn’t do anything, I accidently hit him. And then like, he turned around and elbowed me in the ribs and I’m like ‘oh my God’ (holding ribs). Then he just yelled at me: “I’m the only silverback!” I was like “What the…?”
Adams thoughts on players disliking him:
Kinda sad, to be honest with you. I don’t like people not liking me. I like to think I’m a likable guy. And when they elbowed me, I’m like, ‘Aww, that’s our friendship out the door.’
The interview is filled with comedic gems from the New Zealand big man. Check out the video below of the entire thing, it will be 10 minutes well spent.