New Zealander Steven Adams was tipped to have a bright future when he first emerged on the scene in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Adams was the first New Zealand-born player selected in the NBA draft since Sean Marks, who was picked 44th by the New York Knicks 15 years earlier.
Steven Adams Has Maintained a Quality Basketball Career
Adams kicked off his career with the Wellington Saints in New Zealand, then moved to the United States to play college basketball for the University of Pittsburgh.
It didn’t take long before an NBA team took a swing at Adams. The Oklahoma City Thunder selected him with the 12th overall pick in the 2013 draft.
Adams has been around the block since he left Oklahoma. After holding down the fort as the team’s everyday starting center for six consecutive years, Adams was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
He then joined the Memphis Grizzlies, where he played for two-and-a-half seasons before being traded to the Houston Rockets last year.
How the 2013 NBA Draft Panned Out
The 2013 NBA draft unearthed a few stars who have become household names today, but the majority of that class turned out to be massive disappointments.
Anthony “Bust” Bennett
One name that comes to mind is Canadian forward Anthony Bennett. He was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers but is now considered one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history.
He currently plies his trade with Al-Najma in the Bahraini Premier League, which epitomises the scale of his drop off for a player who was tipped to take the NBA by storm.
Victor Oladipo
On the other end of the scale, the 2013 draft also produced talents such as Victor Oladipo, who went on to make a name for himself.
The Nigerian-American point guard was drafted with the second overall pick by the Orlando Magic and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He also won the NBA Most Improved Player Award in his debut season with the Indiana Pacers.
However, after an injury-riddled career, the 33-year-old has been out of the league for a few seasons, but is trying to make a comeback. He currently plays for the Wisconsin Herd in the NBA G League, which is affiliated with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Speaking of the Bucks, they selected the highlight of the 2013 draft— Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has quickly become one of the greatest players in NBA history.
He won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in back-to-back years, becoming only the third player in NBA history to win the award twice before turning 26, after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James.
Unlike Adams, Antetokounmpo has played his entire career with one team, despite many believing this is his final season in Milwaukee.
Steven Adams Has Provided Stability
In hindsight, Steven Adams’ selection is considered one of the smartest moves in the draft, given his stable career despite an increasingly floor-spacing basketball world.
The Kiwi star came in as an inexperienced player, but his dominant frame and winning mentality suggested he could become a big name in the NBA. He was a nightly double-double threat for nearly a decade, and is close to returning to that form this season in Houston, where he averages 6.8 points and 9.3 rebounds over only 21.4 minutes per game.
Building a Reputation as a Premier Non-Star NBA Player
The 2013 draft was littered with misses. Top picks such as Alex Len and Ben McLemore failed to live up to expectations, while others performed at a decent level.
Compared to many of his peers, Adams was neither the flashiest nor the most hyped, but he proved to be a diamond in the rough, and his value grew steadily rather than peaking quickly.
The Thunder knew the risks of investing in a player who still had plenty of development to do. But Adams’ journey has vindicated their selection.
He established himself as a cornerstone of the Thunder franchise alongside Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. He was a symbol of hope for the next generation of New Zealand athletes hoping to make it to the NBA.
Rockets Lucky to Have His Veteran, Reliable Experience
Steven Adams’ move to the Rockets proved that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level, and his success has also raised the NBA’s profile in New Zealand.
The 32-year-old’s performances for the Rockets have convinced fans in his home country to engage more with the sport, with many of them now betting on NBA games.
Looking back at the 2013 NBA draft, Adams’ selection starts to look less like a gamble and more like a calculated decision that has paid off. He may not have won an MVP award or captured the headlines like some of his teammates, but he has been consistent and physically dominant for many years.
His winning mentality and ability to put his team first have also made him one of the most reliable players of his generation.
The odds of him continuing to shine are high.
Leave a comment