Despite making himself one of the best role players and respected veterans in the NBA’s current scenes, Steven Adams never truly envisioned that he’ll be able to make it to the association.
In his appearance on “The Old Man & The Three” podcast with JJ Redick, Adams revealed that he didn’t even necessarily believe that he’ll be an NBA player given the underwhelming one-year college career he had at Pittsburgh.
“I didn’t have NBA dreams or anything like that. I was just playing basketball and then some dude offered me a scholarship… I thought, ‘Oh sweet, this will be great,’” Adams said. “For me, that was like the height of the college. [Then I] threw my name in the NBA Draft, averaged six and six [for Pittsburgh], and went No. 12 [overall], bro. It was cool – the best 6 and 6 for a lottery pick…
“[Rick] Carlisle was the only one brutally honest with me, ‘You average 6 and 6, why’d you come out of college.”
It might be considered questionable for Adams to even gain an All-Rookie Second Team honors upon averaging 3.3 points and 4.3 boards in his rookie year with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he went on to grasp necessary growth throughout the years and become one of the most reliable big men in the game.
Now, he enjoys much success and respect from his peers due to his solid inside presence and highly admirable demeanor. Adams is now entering his 10th year in the league and is set to get paid over $25MM in his two-year extension with the Memphis Grizzlies.
“Oh, bro, I was just there for the ride. I didn’t even know I was gonna get drafted. I had no expectations of even making the NBA, to be honest. I just threw my name in there and whatever workouts I could get, I took,” he further added.
