Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams had no regrets about a brutal screen he set on Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard during Game 2 of a first-round playoff game on Tuesday.
Steven Adams crushed Lillard with this screen pic.twitter.com/pb04AV61QK
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 17, 2019
Adams is known as one of the strongest players in this league, due to his size and rugged play — but make no mistake, there wasn't anything malicious or illegal about his half-court screen to free up Russell Westbrook, as color commentator Kevin McHale pointed out on the TNT broadcast.
The Kiwi big man acknowledged that Lillard took issue with him after he made contact, but advised him instead to be upset with his own teammate, who should have called it out before he bumped into his 265-pound frame.
“That was just a weird situation,” said Adams. “It might’ve hurt… it’s not my problem really. It’s his big man to let him know there’s a screen there but he got upset with me. He should be getting upset with his player.
“I mean he knew I was right as well. I wasn't doing anything illegal. He's gotta talk to his big man about that”
Steven Adams on his screen on Damian Lillard and the conversation after: “That was just a weird situation. It might’ve hurt but it’s not my problem really. It’s his big man to let him know there’s a screen there but he got upset with me.” pic.twitter.com/52u4XuRdqQ
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) April 17, 2019
Adams is a bull when it comes to his tenacity, but he also possesses great smarts and a fundamental feel for the game — something that has gained him respect from several players around the league.
The New Zealander can pack a punch with those set screens and all 195 pounds of Lillard felt the impact of having a man of that size stand there to prevent him from chasing down Westbrook.
Follow Us
Subscribe