This huge mural of Steven Adams is almost as intimidating as he is
Steven Adams was absolutely brilliant for the Oklahoma City Thunder this postseason. He averaged just under a double-double in 31 minutes per playoff game, making a massive defensive impact with his ability to harass opponents in space while still protecting the rim and cleaning the glass, and also showcased an advancing offensive game with flashes of soft hands finishing on the pick-and-roll and even some sharp passes on the interior.
[Follow Dunks Don’t Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball]
More than that, though, Adams’ toughness — not to mention his ability to walk through repeated shots both above and below the belt — helped propel the Thunder past the heavily favored San Antonio Spurs in Round 2, put the fear of God into the Golden State Warriors in a seven-game epic, and earned the 22-year-old New Zealander both the respect of his enemies and superhero status among OKC fans. The larger-than-life tributes have continued after the Thunder’s elimination — check out this tremendous gigantic mural paying homage to Adams’ intimidating presence, produced just down the street from Chesapeake Energy Arena by artist and fellow New Zealander Graham Hoete, a.k.a. Mr G:
The @RealStevenAdams mural in @FilmRowOKC is looking strong! Come see all of its mustachioed glory Friday night. pic.twitter.com/qwzfQvOOfL
— Exchange on Film Row (@exchangefilmrow) June 14, 2016
From Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman:
“I thought well, man, I’m going to the U.S. and he’s just the man in New Zealand,” Hoete said. “Their whole family, bro, is huge inspirations. Role models. I thought man I gotta get to Oklahoma. Just to show some love, bro. I can’t go to the U.S. and not do one of the bro.”
The mural is located on Film Row in downtown OKC on the side of The Paramount building at 701 W. Sheridan Ave. Hoete said he put a call out on his Facebook page recently to try to “source a wall” in the area. He connected with a local, crafted the mural on photoshop and had him present it to the people at The Paramount. They OK’d it.
“The answer’s always no if you don’t ask,” Hoete said. “If I wouldn’t have found a wall, I wouldn’t have done it. So I’m stoked I have a wall.”
After watching Adams set the screens and protect the basket en route to helping Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook carry OKC within one win of the Finals, Thunder fans are stoked they have one, too.
More NBA coverage:
– – – – – – –
Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
Stay connected with Ball Don’t Lie on Twitter @YahooBDL, “Like” BDL on Facebook and follow Dunks Don’t Lie on Tumblr for year-round NBA talk, jokes and more.
