New Zealand's Steven Adams and the Oklahoma City Thunder start their attempt at dethroning the NBA champion Golden State Warriors today, a task many pundits believe is near impossible.
The Thunder's Steven Adams dunks the ball. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Thunder lost all three games to Golden State during the regular season and head into the best of seven Western Conference finals as heavy outsiders.
Adams is typically unfazed by Oklahoma's underdog status and says they just have to keep playing Thunder-style basketball.
"We're not going to be cocky or anything or try and come out (and disrupt Golden State) too much. We know it's going to be one hell of a battle and yeah, we just have to show up and make sure that we don't take anything for granted and stick to what we do."
Today's game is the first in the best of seven series between the two teams, with the winners to face either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Toronto Raptors in the NBA finals.
Adams former mentor, Kenny McFadden, expected today's game one to come down to a battle of the guards.
Steven Adams Photo: PHOTOSPORT
McFadden said Adams' match-up with Australian centre Andrew Bogut will be crucial, but he was more excited by the battle between reigning MVP Stephen Curry and Oklahoma point guard Russell Westbrook.
"You got the number one and number two point guards going at each other.
"They play a different style of play, you know Curry is finesse and Russell is power. So sit back, get your popcorn and enjoy."
Golden State Warriors MVP Steph Curry Photo: Photosport
Stopping Curry, the first player in the NBA to be voted unanimous, was obviously key for the Thunder and the Oklahoma small men will need to be at their very best defensively.
Stephen Curry celebrates with teammate Andre Iguodala. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Golden State Warriors NBA MVP Stephen Curry. Photo: Photosport
Centre and seven-footer Adams admitted guarding Curry was almost impossible for someone like him.
While he was usually required to defend against the big guys on the inside, Adams said having to rush out against one of the best three-point shooters in the game was intimidating.
"For me personally it's just like 'make him drive, make him drive, make him drive, who cares, just don't give him the three'. It happened to me once and it's annoying because you feel like 'oh my goodness', like you think you can get there but you can't. That's why if you don't have your hand up like it's a wrap (he's going to shoot and make the shot), he's just too fast."
Game one tips off at 1pm (NZ time).
