A month out from the new NBA season, things are coming along nicely for Kiwi star Steven Adams, who is preparing for his fifth season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Many people are expecting a big season for from 24-year-old, who signed a whopping US$100m (NZ$140m) four-year deal with the side last season.
In his first year of the deal, he will be earning NZ$30.8m - which averages out to NZ$375,000 per game. It makes Adams one of the highest paid players for his position.
Despite the gaudy figures, he told The Oklahoman that his new contract will be the last thing on his mind when the Thunder's season tips off against the New York Knicks on October 20 (NZ time) at Chesapeake Arena, Oklahoma.
"There's much bigger things we have to do and worry about other than 'oh I'm getting paid this much, I have to shoot this much,' or whatever it is," said Adams.
"Everyone's goal is the main goal. You have to make any sort of sacrifice, anything you have to do for the team.
"I might be wrong, mate, but that's pretty much my mindset."
The New Zealander is coming off his best season in the league where he averaged career highs in points (11.3), rebounds (7.7), assists (1.1) and minutes (29.9) per game.
Adams might have his critics, but ESPN.com and SI.com, respectively, think he'll be the 46th and 47th.
The Thunder big is known as the defensive anchor for his side, but the off-season additions of Paul George and Patrick Patterson will help ease the pressure.
With the addition of those two players, ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy thinks Adams should become more efficient on offence, but that it's is up to him to make it possible.
"Now I would say this: He's got to continue to strive and get better," Van Gundy told The Oklahoman.
"In some ways offensively, when they do throw him the ball down in the post on those few and far in between possessions, he's more capable sometimes than he plays.
"I think he has to hold himself more accountable for improvement in that area, so that they can vary their offense when necessary and balance their game."
Newshub.
