Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer Erik Horne has hit back at critics of Steven Adams, saying the Kiwi is worth the four-year US$100m contract extension he signed during the season.
Adams was heavily criticised on US sports show Undisputed by NBA analyst Chris Broussard and former NFL star Shannon Sharpe, with both saying that the Kiwi should thank Russell Westbrook and former teammate Kevin Durant for his massive contract.
Speaking to Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes on RadioLIVE's Sunday Sport, Horne said no matter where Adams went he was going to get paid big money, but admitted the Kiwi is still adjusting to life at the Thunder following the departure of Durant and Serge Ibaka during the offseason.
"Adams is in a tough position because he was going to get paid that kind of money whether it was from the Thunder or somebody else," said Horne.
"The Thunder had to do what was best for them. Securing a guy who they thought would be a long term asset at 23-years old and still has room to grow as a player.
"Everybody has had to adjust at the Thunder after they lost Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka and there are going to be some growing pains.
"Those are two guys [Durant and Ibaka] that he lined up next to for the first three seasons of his career. When they traded away Ibaka, that was them signing off Adams as the defensive anchor."
Horne made the case that Adams is not overpaid because that is simply what the market says the Kiwi is worth.
But in a league where teams aren't relying on centres anymore and are looking at players who can shoot, Horne said the 23-year-old will have to justify his big contract and he could find that difficult.
"The money is the biggest thing, it doesn't affect Adams but it alters the viewpoint of the people that are looking for him to be this elite guy who is making this money.
"Perimeter players are getting paid a lot of money and it will look funny when the game is going from inside out to outside in.
"You can't say guys are not worth the money because the market dictates what they are worth.
"The question going forward will be are the Thunder going to be able to justify paying Adams all this money with the way the game is changing and that is something Steven will have to live up to and that’s going to be tough."
Adams has struggled in the Thunder's first round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. In three games he has scored a combine total of 15 points and 19 rebounds.
Despite not lighting it up on the court, Horne believes the New Zealander brings plenty to the Thunder.
"Adams has value to the Thunder that goes beyond what they are paying him in terms of being a quality guy in the locker room to a guy who can defer shots and not demand a lot of offence.
"I think what he does goes beyond the box score numbers. It sounds like I’m making excuses for Steven Adams but I think that's true because you lost guys like Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka."
The Thunder trail the Rockets 2-1 in the seven-match series with game four tipping off on Monday (NZT).
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