How Steven Adams Accidentally Became The NBA's Most Beloved Star (Exclusive)
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What does Steven Adams share about his feelings after being drafted?
Even after I got drafted, they called out my name and stuff. I still thought it was fake. You just don't know if they're just going to be like, oh, just kidding. You just don't know.
Yeah. I feel like David Stern would be, yeah. When you see him in front of you, I feel like that's the moment you go.
Shaking your hand. Yeah. But even still, I'm shaking his hand. I'm like, it might be a mask. Bro, I was terrible as a kid. I was a Bambi. Very skinny, unco. You know what I mean? Yeah, I used to get smoked a lot, bro. My family's ability to just know that I needed to get out in a different environment, that alone was a big decision, and family did a good job identifying that. So then I'd just go to basketball and then Kenny. Just amazing luck running into Kenny. Because I didn't really like basketball like that, but I knew I really liked to work out. Then the basketball love, I fell in love with it as I was learning it.
You do get the college scholarship. Fair to say you didn't enjoy it?
It was terrible, bro. Just to paint a really lonely picture.
How did Steven Adams' upbringing shape his basketball journey?
I was alone and I was like, damn, I want to be outside. And so I was like, I'll just get a boomerang so I could throw something and it'll come back to me. And then I threw it and I suck at boomerang. So it just landed.
So then I was just there in the field, just throwing, walking back and forth. The OKC Golden State playoff in 2016. You got kicked in the nuts Twice? A couple of times, right?
Draymond Green Yeah, yeah, yeah It definitely happened twice One was like a clear kick The other one was like a knee But it was like a suspicious knee
This hasn't really been talked about publicly before. You've put on 24 Stephen Adams camps in New Zealand, 10,000 kids, 11,500 singlets, 12,500 balls, and it's all for free, supported by you.
People looked after me when I was trying to play basketball and come up and stuff. There was many people along the way. I just feel like it's my duty to just give back.
How do you think about the future? Will it be in New Zealand? You've got the contract with the Rockets, but... Are you the kind of guy that has a five-year, 10-year plan? Like, have you got things you want to achieve after basketball? This week on Between Two Bears, we talk to Stephen Adams. Stephen is the most successful Kiwi NBA player in history. 12 seasons, nearly 800 games, four franchises, over $350 million in career earnings. That's in New Zealand dollars. and the first Kiwi ever drafted in the first round. He's one of 14 siblings, grew up in Rotorua, left the country as a teenager, and within two years was setting screens on Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
It's an incredible story, and this is one of our favourite episodes we've ever done. This is Stephen Adams as you've never heard him before.
Between Two Bears is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One New Zealand connects New Zealand while Between Two Bears connects New Zealanders. And together, we are New Zealand's most trusted connection platform.
And Between Two Bears is also supported by TAB. Keen for more action on sports and racing? Download the TAB app or visit tab.co.nz to get your bet on. R18, bet responsibly.
We're also stoked to now be in partnership and dressed by Barkers. Check out their range at barkersonline.co.nz. And last thing before we get into it, we're on a mission to become New Zealand's most trusted storytellers. If you enjoy the podcast, it would mean the world to us if you subscribed or followed wherever you're watching or listening. It genuinely helps us grow, attract bigger and better guests and keep bringing you the best conversations we can. Enjoy. Stephen Adams, welcome to Between Two Bears. Thank you, guys. Thank you, guys. There's no way of you knowing this, but we started this podcast six years ago in my Hamilton garage. And since then, we've often been asked who our dream guest is.
And it's you. So we're super excited to have you here in the One New Zealand studio with us today. We actually bought you food. The Uber steak has just arrived.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What does Steven Adams share about his feelings after being drafted?
0:00–0:51
2
How did Steven Adams' upbringing shape his basketball journey?
0:51–4:14
3
What motivated Steven Adams to give back to the community?
4:14–7:10
4
How did Steven Adams navigate his early years in the NBA?
7:10–1:02:59
5
What advice does Steven Adams share about personal hygiene?
1:02:59–1:03:10
6
How did the 2016 playoffs impact Steven Adams' career?
1:03:10–1:08:32
7
What lessons did Steven learn from his PCL injury?
1:08:32–1:09:18
8
How does Steven Adams give back to the New Zealand community?
1:09:18–2:12:52
Speakers
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