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The Oklahoma City Thunder have two superstars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and everyone knows it. However, few think that the play of Durant and Westbrook alone can propel OKC back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012. What the team needs, and has found during much of this year's playoffs, is key play from their big men.
One of those big men in particular has really raised his game in the playoffs. Besides Serge Ibaka at power forward, the Thunder run Enes Kanter and Steven Adams at center. Kanter, although never a defensive stalwart, is providing playoff numbers relatively similar to his regular season offensive output. Adams, on the other hand, has pulled himself into another gear.
Steven Adams has stepped up for these playoffs. pic.twitter.com/J2SBEy8ZpQ
— Thunder Nation (@ThunderNationCP) May 18, 2016
The above stats only cover through Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. In that game, Adams had 16 points and 12 rebounds with plus-minus of positive-19. Not surprisingly, the Thunder pulled out the win. In Game 2 of the series, Adams had 9 points and 10 rebounds, but a terrible negative-25 rating.
With their series against the Golden State Warriors now tied at one game apiece and OKC hosting the next two games, the Thunder have a chance to take control of the series. If that's going to happen, though, they'll need not only Durant and Westbrook to have great games, but also their big Kiwi, Steve Adams.
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