REGENSBURG (David Hein's Eye on the Future) - Call him an "enforcer" or "antagonist", but one thing is certain about Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Steven Adams - those with the Thunder or neutral observers certainly appreciate the New Zealand big man's ability to get under an opponent's skin.

It's not every day that a 20-year-old from Rotorua, New Zealand hears from the freshly-crowned MVP of the NBA that you are an inspiration to him. But that's exactly what Kevin Durant said about Adams at his acceptance speech for the 2013-14 MVP trophy on Tuesday.

"You mean a lot to me and you inspire me too. You've been through so much at a young age and I relate to that and I know your story. I don't really talk about it a lot but I know. Keep being who you are man because you’re a hell of a person," he said.

Just before that, the new MVP had said: "Man, I didn't know who you were when you first got here but you made me realize with the screens you set in practice (and when you) elbow me when I come down the lane. You let your presence be known. You're just such a fun, spirited person. Never change who you are."

Some people in basketball may have raised an eyebrow when the Thunder selected the 20-year-old Adams - a bruiser without much offensive skill but plenty of passion for the game - with the 12th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft after one season at the University of Pittsburgh.

But the 7-footer filled his role for Oklahoma City, playing in 81 of 82 regular season games with 20 starts. He averaged 3.3 points and 4.1 rebounds, scoring in double digits on three occasions and registering a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds in a win over the Detroit Pistons last November.

He has made his presence felt in the playoffs as well, highlighted by his five blocks in a Thunder Game 6 win over the Memphis Grizzlies and then eight points in the decisive Game 7 victory. And Adams collected six points, five rebounds, one block and some more praise in OKC's Game 2 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference Semifinals.

"I think Adams is terrific, his demeanor is fantastic," said five-time NBA champion-turned-announcer Steve Kerr during the broadcast of Game 2.

"The way he plays, you wanna get under an opponent's skin. When you do so without responding yourself, you're usually gonna win the battle."

Adams has had a propensity to get into scuffles with opposing players all season and it's not stopped during the playoffs - and neither has his total lack of retaliation to any altercation.

In Game 6 of the Memphis series, Adams got into it with Grizzlies star Zach Randolph, who felt Adams had hit him below the belt on the play and then punched the Thunder big man. Randolph ended up getting suspended for Game 7, which many people believe cost Memphis the series.

It was the fifth time this season that Adams has been the target of incidents resulting in an opponent being ejected or suspended - the others succumbing to Adams' irritating style being Vince Carter, Nate Robinson, Larry Sanders and Jordan Hamilton.

Against the Clippers, Adams has focused his attention on Blake Griffin, whom he helped hold to a 2013-14 playoffs low 15 points in Game 2, which Oklahoma City won to even the best-of-seven series.

Kerr addressed the Adams-Griffin match-up, saying: "If I'm (LA coach) Doc Rivers, I've already had a chat with Blake Griffin. Do not let Steven Adams incite you into anything that might affect the next game."

Adams may not be widely known throughout the NBA fan circles, but the New Zealand big man is certainly making himself known inside the game.

David Hein

FIBA

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