The cheers during his introduction were by far the loudest – expected on a night in which the Thunder was missing its two biggest stars, but totally appropriate for the star that has become Steven Adams.
Paul George, Russell Westbrook and Andre Roberson didn't play. Thunder fans might not know how to pronounce “Schroder” yet (they will, SHROO-der), or “Luwawu-Cabarrot (loo-WA-woo cab-uh-RO),” but they'll get closer thanks to Adams, too.
In the third quarter, Adams pulled down his 10th rebound, surveyed the floor and waited for Luwawu-Cabarrot – struggling to that point – to flash open in the corner.