'He deserves a spot!' - TJ Perenara throws support behind Steven Adams to be NZ's first NBA All Star

January 5, 2019

Steven Adams is getting some extra support in trying to become New Zealand's first NBA All Star with All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara leading a campaign to help the Kiwi star get votes.

Perenara took to Instagram to share his message, telling his followers to cast votes for Adams for this year's event in Charlotte.

"Don't know how many basketball fans we have out there but our bro Steven Adams has been killing it again this year," he said.

"He deserves a spot in the All Star game so let's all get behind him and vote him in!"

The kind words come after the first official tallies came back for this year's voting, which saw Adams sitting sixth in the Western Conference's frontcourt votes.

As a "frontcourt" player, Adams is up against stiff competition with the likes of former MVPs and small forwards LeBron James and Kevin Durant (who are both ahead of him in voting) to compete with.

However, Adams is the second highest centre in the Western Conference's frontcourt voting, sitting only behind five-time All Star Anthony Davis.

Adams has also had plenty of support from his franchise, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have campaigned heavily for the Kiwi and his All Star teammates Russell Westbrook and Paul George.

Adams is having a career-best season for the Thunder, who currently sit second in the Western Conference with 24 wins and 13 losses.

So far this season, Adams is averaging an extra minute per game (33.8). He's also seen his numbers rise in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

He's averaging an extra two points per game (15.6) as well as an extra rebound per game (10.2) - with those numbers, Adams is for the first time in his career averaging a double-double.

His numbers elsewhere are smaller improvements with his assists up to 1.7 per game and steals at 1.4 per game.

Adams' popularity with fans has grown thanks to his relaxed, Kiwi nature in interviews and quick wits while analysts respect him for his play style as an "old-school" centre who plays physically and near the rim, rather than looking for three-pointers.

The All Star event celebrates the best talent in the NBA with a three-point shootout competition for sharpshooters, a dunking competition for high flyers capped off with the All Stars game - a game played by the best players of the NBA.

Voting  for this year's event closes on January 22 NZT. Selections will be announced shortly after before the All Star Game takes place on February 18 NZT.

SHARE ME

More Stories