How Steven Adams Accidentally Became The NBA's Most Beloved Star (Exclusive)

Even after I got drafted, they called out my name and stuff. I still thought it was fake. You just don't know if they're just going to be like, "Oh, just kidding." You just don't know.

Yeah. Feel like David Stern would be Yeah. When you see him in front of you, I feel like that's the shaking your hand. But even still, shaking his head, I'm like, is this punk? It might be a mask. [laughter]

Bro, I was terrible as a kid. I was a Bambi. Very skinny, Unco, you know. I mean, it just Yeah, I used to get smoked a lot, bro.

My family's ability to just know that I needed to get out and like a different environment. That alone was a big decision and that was family did a good job identifying that.

So then I just go to basketball and then Kenny just amazing luck of running into Kenny cuz I don't really like basketball like that but I really I knew I really like to work out then the basketball love I fell in love with it as I was learning it.

You do get the college scholarship. Fair to say didn't enjoy it.

It was terrible bro just to paint a really lonely picture. I was alone and I was like, damn, I want to be outside. And so I was like, I'll just get a boomerang so I could throw something and then I could it'll come back to me. And then I threw it and I'm I suck at boomerang. So it just landed. So then I was just there in the field just throwing walking back and forth.

The OKC Golden State um playoff in 2016. You got kicked in the nuts a couple times, right, Draymond Green? Like Yeah. Game. Yeah. Yeah, it definitely happened twice. One was like a clear kick. The other one was like a knee, but it was like a suspicious knee.

This hasn't really been talked about publicly before. You've put on 24 Steven Adams camps in New Zealand, 10,000 kids, 11 12,000 singlets, 12,000 balls, and it's all for free, supported by you.

People looked after me when I was trying to, you know, play basketball and come up and stuff. There was many people along the way. I just feel like it's my duty to just give back.

How do you think about the future? Will it be in New Zealand? you got the the contract with the Rockets, but are you the kind of guy that has a 5 year, 10 year plan? Like, have you got things you want to achieve after basketball?

Um, this week on Between Two Beers, we talked to Steven Adams. Steven is the most successful Kiwi NBA player in history. 12 seasons, nearly 800 games, four franchises, over 350 million in career earnings, that's in New Zealand dollars, and the first Kiwi ever drafted in the first round. He's one of 14 siblings, grew up in Rooua, left the country as a teenager, and within two years was setting screens on Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. It's an incredible story, and this is one of our favorite episodes we've ever done. This is Steven Adams as you've never heard him before.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One New Zealand connects New Zealand while Between Two Beers connects New Zealand does. And together, we are New Zealand's most trusted connection platform. And Between Two Beers is also supported by TAB. Keen for more action on sports and racing? Download the TAB app or visit tab.co.nz to get your bid on R18. Bet responsibly. We're also stoked to now be in partnership and dressed by Barkers. Check out their range at barkersonline.co.n. And last thing before we get into it, we're on a mission to become New Zealand's most trusted storytellers. If you enjoy the podcast, it would mean the world to us if you subscribed or followed wherever you're watching or listening. It genuinely helps us grow, attract bigger and better guests, and keep bringing you the best conversations we can. Enjoy.

Stephen Adams, welcome to Between Two Beers.

Thank you guys. Thank you guys.

There's no way of you knowing this, but we started this podcast 6 years ago in my Hamilton garage. And since then, we've often been asked who our dream guest is, and it's you. So, we're super excited to have you here in the One New Zealand studio with us today. We actually bought you food. Uh, the Uber steak has just arrived. We might bring it in in a little bit because Jen Jones at Metoresh said if you want a good chat, make sure he's wellfed with a steak or a two steak. Two steaks.

But um, and also the the rider was Tommahawk steaks, which are very difficult to get at uh, at 2:30 p.m. on a Monday. So, just have a look at the steaks and see whether you're whether you're interested. And if you don't, it look, hey, we're okay with it. We'll bring them in soon. But you've just been with Matthew Walters, former Between Two Beers guest at a barbecue. Did he get you wellfed?

Yeah, bro. He brought down some sausages and some steaks and stuff. He's got a really nice house as well. Yeah, it's really I forgot where it was, but like it's really beautiful. But all those boys are freaking cool, man.

They're really chill, man. They got a really good story and they're just laidback, man.

Did Machu big us up at all? Cuz we've had him on before as a guest. Did he Did he say anything about us?

Oh, [laughter] it's okay if he did.

But he would have, bro. Wasn't on the agenda.

I bet you he would have, bro.

I was hoping he'd pump our tires up at least. Fishing fishing for compliments.

[laughter]

So tricky start. Um on the steaks thing, on the food, it's come up a lot. We've done a lot of research for this because everyone's say talk about the food. Um and we've heard that two steaks anytime you go out, one one doesn't quite cut the mustard and you eat them with your hands. Is that is that

Yeah. Not not entirely. Like if I'm with the team and stuff and I eat by myself, like at a takeaway order, then I'll do it. But like if I'm in an establishment, I'll use my knife and fork just cuz I don't want to terrify these guests who are there to have like a night out. Just seeing this [ __ ] [laughter] dude eating steak [ __ ] with his hands. You're like, "What the fuck?"

But I heard you'll never burn your mouth if you use your hands.

That's right, brother. You know what I mean? That's why I use my hands. You'll never burn your mouth.

Cuz you you did the carnivore diet for a couple of years, but you're not doing it anymore.

No, it was it was a bit of a hybrid. I just like I kind of said it was carnivore cuz it was just easier to explain. Um, but all all I did was just strip down all my previous diet to just meat. And then I started adding stuff and depending on how my body reacted to what I ate. Um, I would leave it in or take it out. So that'll go from different vegetables to like even like certain meats that I'll just like leave it in. I'll feel some bloating. I'll feel gassy or something like this. I'll just take it out and just leave it out and just stick with a different different diet. Yeah. But it's a hybrid. There's a lot of fruit and stuff like that, but not full carnival.

Liver. You have some liver in there.

Yeah, liver is good, bro. Yeah, liver is good.

How do you Do you just eat that or do you mince it or what do you What What's that?

I just fry it, bro. I'm sweets.

Yeah. What did you say?

Sweet.

Sweet. What's that?

It's like little parts of like liver and organs and stuff.

Oh, I've seen this. Yes. What is that? I think

if you don't know, it's a trip trick for young players.

I'll have the sweets and it's then you find out what it is and you go, "Ah, yeah." No, it's on. It's on. It actually freaking helped me out a lot too. You can feel the difference especially if you're doing that. So I did that kind of strictly for like maybe a couple weeks or something like that. But I was again I was just using it as a tool to just reset diet wise. Um, but yeah in that 2 weeks it was just kind of weird. Energy was kind of low. Then I started eating liver and then it was like actually got a bit higher.

So it's kind of weird.

I bet it must all be so dialed in with you I imagine. Is everything getting measured and so like the different things you're eating will have different results and that's all.

Yeah. Yeah, I'm pretty I'm pretty interested in that stuff naturally. So, I'll do my, you know, I'll go out and do my own blood labs and stuff like that outside of the team. Um, just because I'm just interested in the numbers of it and then I try and optimize where I can. Yeah. Not too hard cuz then it's just I don't know terms of just choosing to convenience. But other than that, bro, just try and do the best I can now.

So, what have you bombed off? What is what is does not I can't even talk. I'm so nervous. [ __ ]

What does not agree? What does not agree? What doesn't agree with Steven Adams?

Slow down. Huh? Yeah. [laughter] Like a lot of the leafy stuff like cabbages in that like I don't know. It just makes me super gassy, bro. So I was like Yeah. I was

I don't think that's unique to you. I think that's a [laughter]

Yeah, that I share this with a lot of other human. But yeah, I was like super gassy. And so like yeah, I just I was just trying to find stuff that like if I ate it before a game or working out, does it sit appropriately? You know what I mean? And a lot of that food I had to scrap out cuz I was just bloated and you just feel crap, bro. trying to train. We're getting like a little bit of blood. I was like, "Damn, bro. This sucks." So, yeah, stripped a lot of those out. Mostly leafy greens and mostly vegetables. That's what I found out.

Just leave the good stuff in.

Yeah. Just meat and fruit. [snorts] I was like, "Bro, that's pretty good."

Few eggs in there, too, huh?

Yeah, eggs as well. Definitely got to get the eggs, bro.

From our sources, we've heard you're back in New Zealand for a wedding. What is a Adam? It was Adam's family wedding. Was it What does that look like?

It was pretty cool. Um, yeah, it was it was my brother Sid. So he got married um on Friday and it was it was beautiful, bro. It was unbelievable. Um, but yeah, I just flew in for that and you know, most of my family could make it. So obviously it was like it's cool to see some normal, you know, [laughter] looking eye to eye. Yeah. Not really like looking down at a lot of people. Well, her side of the family, we had to like, oh, hello. But then our family's like, hi. [laughter] You're just straight eye to eye. So it was pretty cool, man. But it was just awesome just like any of those events where you could just like see the family again. It's kind of weird growing up cuz like you just realize how much time just flies and then you don't really have these well you have these opportunities for everyone to come back and just those are just always special.

cuz I imagine you must have missed a lot right being over in America for so long and game commitments there must have been so many occasions 40ths and birthdays and weddings that

you all of them bro like all those all those occasions bro you just miss um and it was just like one of those commitments that like cuz I thought about that a lot um like how much I'm missing out in terms of like life cuz I wanted to be a part of it but then also like how much I want to commit to my profession cuz I really wanted to do well at basketball. So it's like kind of falls into like one of those sacrifices that it's like a personal sacrifice that you know other people may not know.

but you just have to do it, you know.

Yeah, it's pretty Eric Murray calls it opportunity cost.

Opportunity cost which is a nice way to put it.

Did you have an official role? Were you a part of the lineup for the wedding?

Yeah, I was best man.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it was pretty How' the speech go?

Yeah, I had a speech, bro. I was freaking balling my eyes out, dude. Good. Yeah. Yeah. I was freaking crying. I was Yeah, cuz it was even tough like um writing a best man speech. Uh I kind of just figured I don't know. I'm not I'm not like a funny guy. So, I didn't want to do any jokes or anything like this. So, I just try to uh only highlight uh my brother's character. I just try and tell the story of him like uh through my eyes, how I see him and stuff. And so, yeah, freaking definitely emotional, bro. and all that sort of stuff. So, it was freaking awesome though.

Did you hit the mandatories? Don't the bridesmaids look great tonight?

I I missed the bride. I missed the bride. Someone told me about this. I was like, "Oh, I forgot the bridesmaid one." And then afterwards, I was like, "Oh, you look great." But it doesn't [laughter] count. By the way,

too late.

And first dance, were you the bride and groom? Did they have the dance? And then you pair off with the Were you on the D floor as well?

No, I wasn't. Okay.

No, no, no. Yeah, I didn't know the criteria.

Different weddings or different [laughter] weddings. that that comment about not being the funny one. That's interesting because it's kind of like a contrast with I guess how the rest of the world sees you. Like they see you as the funny guy.

Yeah. I think Yeah. I don't know. I think it's like um a lot of Americans, they're not used to like Kiwis. I think cuz like in New Zealand, bro, I'm just like not funny. You know what I mean? I'm just not. But like in America, they're just like, "Oh my god, this like big international guys saying these funny things." And it's like cuz like Rob, you met my brother Rob.

Yeah.

Dude's a freaking comedian, bro. Fallout. So he's just like amazingly funny.

So yeah, you kind of got material. You kind of lean into it, right? Like you you know what works and okay, they're kind of like reacting really strongly to something which is quite normal.

Yeah. You play it will just be a normal banter like you wouldn't get the same reaction like you might get like a uh like in New Zealand but they'll be like oh my real knee slapper real knee slapper that one you know calm down man. [laughter] We got a lot of questions about the wild world of the NBA, but we've done a lot of prep for this yet. And uh one of the things we've uncovered is the incredible amount you give back to the community. And this hasn't really been talked about publicly before, but through the sport pathways group across the last 11 years, you've put on 24 Steven Adams camps in New Zealand from Invagle to Fong 10,000 kids, 11 a half thousand singlets, 12 a half thousand balls and it's all for free supported by you. I want you to tell us if you're open to it sort of why you're doing this, what you're trying to achieve and a little bit about the the camps.

I mean the main thing um just promoting uh just basketball in general just like having fun and all that but like if you're like the motivation behind it um started when I was with Kenny Mack like Kenny McB so he would go to like um in Wellington like some of the really rough areas in Wellington um and he would just throw like little mini ball cams you know what I mean and it's like it was interesting to see cuz as we grow up um oh sorry as we grew up we would hear always all the stories about like Kenny you know, people come out even now, they'll come out just like, "Oh, Kenny used to come to my school and we used to do camps and like he really like woven himself into the fabric of like that community." And so, like when he was with me in um in the States, we talked about this a lot, how much like how to give back. Um because like I grew up through his system and so it's just like a part of the ecosystem where okay I made it here I want to give back but even the even the players that he dealt with in like those rough areas they're actually giving back too. It's just different scales right so we're all doing the same thing and it's still from Kenny Mack while he started. So it was really cool from that in that standpoint but and that's all this is and just like getting the right people around around me. So, the Pathway Boys, just an awesome, awesome group of lads helping me just like fulfill this, you know.

We watched a your team sent us a video which hasn't been made public yet. Um, it's a view at one of these schools. There's hundreds of school kids and they're all screaming and they're all so excited and you kind of say that you like to touch everyone with some small interaction

like a physical, you know, it's a hand slap or a arm around the shoulder. Can you tell why is that important?

Um, I think it's just one of those moments like you try and do the best you can just like it. I don't know. It's just like the for the kids it just means like the reactions on their faces and stuff. It's just like something I don't know. You have to see it. You know what I mean? You have to see it. You have to be there or like watch video of it cuz it's just like man like to the kids is like the world, you know what I mean? Just getting like a high five.

You know what I mean? It's so cool. So, I don't know. I try and do my best with like having at least one interaction with each kid. And even at the camps, I do this as well where like we'll have like 1500 kids and I'll try and play one-on-one with them with each and every kid that comes through the camp. You know what I mean? Just to have that one moment with the kid cuz it is cool. It's really cool for the kid. It's cool for me, too. Cuz again, it's just like I don't know. Every time I see this, it always goes back to the Kenny Mac thing. It's like, yeah, you're just building and you're helping the basketball in New Zealand. You know what I mean? They're going to be inspired. They could they could do whatever they want. They didn't even have to go into basketball, but like at least they have this like oh this sense of community and stuff like this like giving back, you know.

Is that what you want them to leave want them to leave the camps with? Like do you have a thing that you're wanting them at the end to like is it the sense of community? Is it that just someone cares and there's sort of support around me?

Yeah. Yeah, definitely that, bro. Especially with some of the kids, bro. Like um that we bus in. We we bus in sometimes we'll hit like we'll try and do our best for some of the regional camps. Um, so you know, not the main cities, but for even some of the city camps, we'll bus in some kids from some like pretty rough areas. So they'll come in and especially for those kids, bro, as long as they feel like, you know, they're interacting, have fun, making friends and whatnot, like that's huge for them to go back to their community and just feel that. That's that's like amazing, bro.

So basketball's just the just the vehicle, right? It's it's about bringing that group together, making them feel, I don't know, seen for one of a better word.

Yeah. Yeah. It's just those bro just like being seen and like people you know they were able to like get away and like have fun and come back and have like again they get basketballs and all that sort of stuff. They could just stick with basketball while they're back in their hometowns freaking all that bro. Like it's really it's really cool to just be a part of bro and it's like a huge privilege for me and and pathways too just to be able to like do that. You know what I mean? It's really cool.

And timing wise you always it's at a time where you're able to come back home so you can physically be there right?

Yeah. So, usually around that August time, usually when I'm like I'm free, so I'd come back and then we can crack on with the camps, bro. And it's so fun. I don't know. You guys haven't been to one, eh?

No, not like a year.

Yeah. Yeah, like I think we're too old. [laughter]

We'll get you started. We'll get you on there. So, like Yeah. It's just like it's awesome to be around. Like it's a really cool It's a really cool like experience. It's like a fun day. You know what I mean? It's really really cool.

It it must be the most one of the most rewarding parts of this whole ride. Like we're going to talk about the career and everything and you know the money and the fame and all that but like using that platform to help so many kids who you know might not have that pathway without your support.

Yeah. It's it's it's it's like you're fulfilling your duty. That's how I feel it. Like look people looked after me when I was trying to you know play basketball and come up and stuff. There was many people along the way who played like small parts or what whatever whatever part they played doesn't matter and it's just I just feel like it's my duty to just give back the same way and it's not that's not unique to me that's again that's everyone who's been through like Kenny Max system and whatnot that's just the ecosystem that he created and we're just carrying it on you know.

and the extension to that is the high school invitational which is the next tier up and I think it's over 280 plus kids looking to be educated on the student athlete partner pathway and and how they can get to the states and again funded by you and the team.

Yeah, that one's that one's been doing really well, especially the Kiwi kids, bro. Like that's always the main goal for the ones who want to take it seriously. Um, so yeah, the community camps are like the fun one and whatnot. And then obviously the high performance one, uh, that one you actually have to show up and, you know, really get after it. And a lot of them have done really well to secure themselves scholarships and whatnot, you know, and so a lot of them actually um been through the system.

I was going to say you you must start to see the ones that start in the camps and now coming through.

Yeah. So you get the ones in the camps and that's the cool thing about the community camps too is that a lot of the kids that came to the to those camps like like freaking 5 years ago, 6 years ago, they're the ones who's volunteering at the camps now, you know? So like they just they're giving back too, you know, cuz they're volunteering. They're helping out with drills and all that sort of stuff around the kids. And it's just amazing to see, bro, cuz again it's just like that big ecosystem just about giving back. So yeah.

it's cool to shine the light on the stuff because it is sort of like it's not very public. It's cool just to hear what's going on. Um, we spoke to Zack Lassie who's one of the trustees at the Sports Pathway Trust. I want to read out what he said. He said, "We run what we informally call a no [ __ ] policy. It's not official, but it captures it perfectly. That means everyone involved has to be in it for the right reasons. Kids first, fun, opportunity, and education. If someone is there for self-s serving interest, they don't last long in the group." We suspect this ethos comes directly from Steven. We see it in how he operates and in the brands he chooses to associate with. We try to stay true to that. We don't just take the money and run, which means the people and sponsors around us are generally good ones. I personally would also like to invite any sponsor that thinks like that to give us a call and come on board. Kind of joking, kind of not joking. [laughter] Zach's seen an opportunity to shoot a shot. But that no [ __ ] policy. That seems to me like an ethos that yes for that but also for you in life that you don't really have time for for [ __ ] You don't sort of suffer fools.

Yeah. I thought I thought that was just like a you know that's just a natural Kiwi thing. I think it started with the all blacks I think. Yeah. So I think that's just been ingrained especially for maybe um my generation maybe. I don't know for our generations you know. So we just kept it through and it's worked out really well honestly. it's filtered a lot of just like a lot of noise cuz again you bring on the wrong people um like they kind of make distractions again the the kids are the ones who miss out you know what I mean so obviously trying to again kids are number one the number one priority so again the no [ __ ] one is all about like okay are you willing to just give everyone everyone on board is sacrificing somewhat just just to like put these things on you know so that's the type of people we need.

and if people do feel compelled or moved that are listening to this to get involved Do they just kind of check you guys out online? How do they connect then?

Yeah. Yeah, just the pathways will be online. You can find them online. Um, yeah, there's plenty of ways to reach out.

Um, but yeah, if you want to get involved, just reach out online.

But just before we leave that, the last piece I think the newest piece is taking a boys team and a girls team over to the States as well for like an overseas experience.

Yeah. So that's been um that's been a part of the um high performance is um yeah we fly we fly the yeah one girls team one boys team over to the states and they'll play in uh, you know, different tournaments over there and the reason being is just like we're trying to increase exposure for the American uh scouts for colleges so they they're usually very present in those tournaments. So get the kids there, they're in front of their eyes, then it's basically in their hands whether they get a scholarship or not by how they perform and what you know. So that's been that's been really really good, really helpful for them cuz again it's just exposure. As long as you get them on there, they're on the radar of the scouts and brilliant.

I want to take us back to the start, but first I want to provide a little framing for the listeners. So you're currently in your 12th season in the NBA across four franchises. First, it was Oklahoma City Thunder alongside Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. And you developed from a raw 19-year-old into one of the most physically dominant centers in the league, a genuine fan favorite. Then a single co disrupted season with the New Orleans Pelicans onto the Memphis Grizzlies, which was cut short through injury. And now the Houston Rockets, where you are currently recovering from another season ending injury, but under contract until 2028, which is quite a ride. But I want to go back to the beginning of the journey. So, youngest of 14 kids in Roouur. Uh, but a bit of a complicated dynamic. I sort of wanted to open it with how do you reflect on your childhood in the early days?

Um, it was really fun, bro. Especially back then. It was really cool. Like big family. Um, you know, a lot of wrestling, like beat ups and whatnot. Like, it was really cool. Um, especially like before the internet, bro. Just like I don't know. You know how it is, bro. Like, you try and find your mates. So like you have to check in areas where they may be. [laughter]

I mean like down by the creek or like okay go to the park and okay they're not there. Go to the mall or something like you have to

Yeah. You just have to spend a lot of time just like navigating or whatever.

So like you know really fond memories. I mean my family was awesome.

Um, yeah, it was cool. you went back to or offer primary recently which was your your childhood school and again we were lucky enough to see some video of you kind of going there and seeing old teachers but how do you reflect back on that that moment or that community is that still a big part of who you are now?

No, 100%. Like that those are the people who raised me, bro. You know what I mean? Like that community just raised me. So like it's always holds a special place in my heart. Um, and it's just awesome just go back and yeah, seeing the old teachers there and again just like familiar things that like I don't know as a kid was like daydreaming not listening in assembly but like there will be they'll have the same artwork up there and then I'm seeing it as like, you know, 32 years old you're just like damn right just nostalgia right away. Yeah. Yeah.

Just takes you back to a moment where like you know it's always good I think just like revisiting those memories or something gives you a reason to go back. So yeah, that was that was awesome.

Can you tell us about your uh late father Sid who stood 6'1 tall is obviously where the family got the height jeans from. But can you tell us about him as a man and what you learned from him and and what he was like?

Yeah, bro, he was cool. Yeah, he was cool. We were we were boys. We had we were boys, but he was like a he was one of the old school like hard-nosed hard work type of guy. I mean he came over he came over on a boat went straight to white sawmill, you know what I mean? Just got a job there and back in those days you could buy a house if you work at a sawmill. Bit different now. Bit different nowadays, but like yeah. So freaking he just started Yeah. making a family and whatnot. But yeah, growing up with him was awesome. like um a lot of stuff is like going through it sucked but like as an adult you really appreciate like the discipline and that he instilled in the kids and whatnot and standards and all that. So yeah, it was really cool. Really loving, really loving father.

Is that the discipline thing is huge, right? For for anyone that goes to the level you are at, discipline plays a big part. So is that just learned through watching him or is it kind of passed down or do you think about where that came from?

Yeah, it was it was from him, but he created the standard across the board and then obviously the siblings will hold each other accountable by snitching. My sister snitched a lot. her name's Lisa. Yeah. So she, you know, you'll keep each other in check in that way. But he had a standard that you have to just meet, you know, and yeah, discipline was a part of that. You just have to, again, he he was a man of like he was a man of habit as well. Even for our meals throughout the week, it's like Monday will be like bangers and mash, Tuesday will be lasagna or something, you know what I mean? And that'll be it for the rest of the year. Just Sunday roast, and you'll just repeat the.

Are you still out? Have you got elements of that? Have you like picked up elements of that in your in your personality as well?

Oh, kind of. But it'll be like Monday steaks, [laughter] Tuesday steaks, Wednesday. So, still follow the same discipline, but same time to eat every night like that sort of old school routine.

Yeah. Not that not that old school cuz you can't like with I mean for NBA bro, you can't really cuz you'll finish a game at like 10:00, you know what I mean? And then you have to get on a plane and go to the next place and it's like, you know, you really have to just eat where you can brush where you can. So, yeah, it's a bit different. But yeah, but the old man bro like it was just like again just really hard-nosed guy and just like I don't know it was like a loving, you know what I mean? It's like loving but like a hard dude but in a loving way if that makes sense. Yeah.

I think it's a generational thing. I think a lot of a lot of parents or dads that kind of came up through that that time had those kind of those values about them.

Yeah. And we we had them too cuz I like I don't know. I feel like I um maybe relate to a lot of the boomers a bit more than like millennials. Um, just because like I mean my dad was born in 31.

Yeah.

So he's kind of like granddad age. So like he was giving us that type of you know upbringing. So it was like it was it was actually really awesome.

Yeah. Mine was 35 born in 1935.

Oh for real.

And same thing. So your your dad would have come through grown up through rationing through World War II and so he would have a certain perspective on life and the way things were. Um, yeah, I know exactly kind of I feel like I know the household that that you would have grown up in with some of those things the values values that they were definitely that they went through and they're trying to make sure that their kids like understand it. Yeah. So we had the same.

and and out of the household comes yourself, Dame, Valerie, Lisa, who are the three, I guess, that capture New Zealand sporting attention. But the whole family, right, had the potential to be world class athletes. Is that is that fair?

Yeah. Yeah, there's definitely like more athletic like our sister Gabby, she's very very athletic. She could have like went on to do like whatever. And like a lot of them just comes down to like just life um situation. like they could, but it's just like, you know, cir life happens, circumstance, they need to like pivot and whatnot. And even still, what's good about my family is that they no matter what they do, they kind of really don't play the victim card. You just work your way through it, you know, and that's what a lot of the family did, but they very much could. All of them are just like tall athletic. They definitely could have went on and, you know, did something like maybe NBA or something like endless potential.

Yeah. What did what did backyard sport look like growing up? Was it just all these like incredible athletes just getting amongst it in the backyard?

Yeah, like when we had our family reunion, it was like that. Like especially seeing my brother. I was like 12 or maybe 11 at the time and just like it was just amazing for me to see these like massive humans. You're like, "Holy shit."

Bull rush. You play any bull rush?

Oh, I did.

with the family?

No, not with the family. Not back then. Not back then. They weren't they weren't moving too great but just like [laughter] yeah, I mean they weren't moving well but we definitely played amongst ourselves young group the young.

Were you always the last to be picked I imagine you'd be like "okay Steven when everyone is in the middle so that they can all kind of pile on"

bro, I was terrible as a kid. I was so like I was a Bambi. Very skinny, unco, you know what I mean? Just yeah, I used to get smoked a lot, bro.

Do you have a bit of speed?

nah, none at all, bro. like I had bad hands and everything like there was there was there was a time where like I was playing um rugby be for uh our primary school. Uh the other team would kick the ball to me.

They targeted you.

Targeted me cuz I dropped the ball and [laughter] like knock it off. They did this seven times in a row. So the coach like put a guy next to me. So wherever I stood like he had to stand and he had to catch the ball. [laughter] I stopped playing after that. I was like screw this game. Bro,

you think these guys are still dining out about it now? Cuz [laughter] I feel like you're the sporting equivalent to Stan Walker. Everyone's kind of got a Steven Adams story where at one point they dunked on you or at one at one point they shot a three over you or you dunked on them. There's lots of different connection.

Marketing Marcus was ding out on that before.

Yeah. He said Harbor Secondary Schools and Wellington came up.

Oh, for real?

Yeah. You guys put 50 on them.

Oh, yeah. He came on and went out again. I don't want to It's not my story to tell. [laughter]

In an alternate universe, you could have been a a a shot pooter as well if it wasn't for a certain Jacko Gill.

Oh, bro. Yeah, that was crazy. Yeah, he's he's good. That guy's good. He's real good. Yeah, cuz Yeah, I was just Yeah, I remember competing against him. I I actually ran into him. I was wondering if he remembered me. He definitely remembered me. First thing he said was like, "Oh, yeah, you showed up with no shoes and a 2 L bottle of milk." I was like, "Yeah, that was [laughter] me." Cuz that was to like regionals or nationals, I think. He was like, "Yeah, that was me, bro."

But yeah, he was he's he's an amazing athlete, that one. But yeah, I tried in um cuz like you know, freaking New Zealand sport like New Zealand growing up in New Zealand school, you just try everything, you know what I mean? So I did pretty well on the um all the field events, not track though.

Running again, bro. Not fast. I hate I hate running stuff like that.

High jump.

High jump. I was doing all kind.

Yeah. [laughter]

Yeah. Those were my my events. Was that Yeah. was just high jump and shot put.

Yeah, tried discus, but that was tough.

Was it the scissor jump when you were doing high jump? Because that was quite No one really knew how to do the flop at school that I remember. You always

I did the scissors for one and then like I was trying to learn the the flop, but then like there'll be like this small white kid I remember. He's just like he had the technique down.

Hamish Ky or something like that. [laughter]

Yeah, that was amazing. Brother, just on sort of culture. So your dad was British, your mom is Tongan, but you said in your book that she didn't really experience much Tongan culture and you're not growing up with your older sister Viv and her family and they kind of made you feel moldy and that's the culture that you were raised in. Is that is that a accurate depiction of

Yeah, especially the area like or where I grew up. It's just like yeah, that's like like a lot of Maldi, you know what I mean? So you just grow moldy, bro. Just learning all the pepeha and language and all that. And so like we didn't learn much Tongan. Um, yeah, and I think we were kind of like the only Tongans around. We had a Cook Islander around there. But yeah, and like especially in our household, we're more like a British upbringing.

And have you connected back with the Tongan side? Yeah.

Yeah. That how does that we see a common theme with guests is that those that weren't sort of raised in their culture very heavily later in life they make a real effort to connect with it. It could be a really powerful kind of like reintegration.

Yeah. Yeah, I guess so. But like uh like I don't know. It's cuz I know I'm like a plastic Tongan as in like, you know, I don't know all the freaking dynamics of it. Like I know more Maldi like stuff than Tongan.

But you know I just definitely want to reconnect with the Tongan side. You know, just do the best I can. Val's really good with this. And so you have family members who are able to like, you know, start teaching history about it and language about it and like, you know, just little greetings, you know, all that stuff helps.

But the main thing is just like not um as long as you're not denying it, I guess.

you know. So yeah, just embrace all of it, bro. Cuz like Maldi raised me. I got Maldi brothers, sisters. Like they're just a part of the family. Tokown brother, you know what I mean? So Tong's just another part of it.

So yeah, we it's all love, bro.

Yeah. You know what I mean? Try and represent everyone.

Carrying along the path. Um, you're 13 when Sid passed away and the next two years were quite difficult. So dropped out of school, played a lot of video games, lost your way a little bit, and then basketball came around. Is it a stretch to say basketball gave you some sort of purpose in in life?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It definitely did. Um, yeah, the basketball basketball coming around definitely helped me a lot especially like um the main person for that was uh Kenny but even before that my family's ability to just know that I needed to get out and like a different environment just to change environment entirely like get out of Roaroo and just try something else. So that alone was a big decision and that was family did a good job identifying that and then um the support group that was there. So like blossom helped me like, you know, she she was the one who like my foster mom really, you know what I mean? So just having those people around in order for me just to even go to basketball played like a huge part. So then I just go to basketball and then Kenny just amazing luck of running into Kenny. He's been through the pathway. He's been through the system in the States. American, he's really good at basketball, knows all the knowledge, whatever. So he's the one who really uh cuz I don't really like basketball like that, but I really I knew I really like to work out. Like I like to work. I mean I get like a good I don't know like a dopamine hit when I work out. So I definitely wanted to work and whatever he said I'll do. So, I trusted him and he'll just put me through whatever drills and I'll show up every day and I'm I'm fine. Like I had some sort of motivation. Then the basketball love, I fell in love with it as I was learning it cuz I I started to like, oh, okay, there's different strategies, tactics, whatever. You know what I mean? Then that's that's the stuff that was actually really interesting. And that's when the love came.

cuz as a cornerstone piece, those 6 a.m. scrimmages that that that Kenny used to kind of throw together.

For sure.

Do they and do they look like like

Like multiple vertical age groups? Like everything from kids all the way through to >> Yeah, bro. >> Saints players. >> Yeah. And it was really cool cuz you have to like again the older everyone like Saints players will roll in or any of the older older dudes will rock in and you will play if you're good enough. That's just the rule. You just know like, oh, yeah, everyone have a good No, bro. You have to earn your keep. Otherwise, you're just shooting by yourself for like 2 and 1/2 hours, you know, just watching like, oh, cool, bro. [laughter] Must be nice. So, like, yeah, you just earn your keep. And that's that was that's what's been like super crucial I think for a lot of uh the development of the younger kids cuz again you're playing against like professional players and they just come in they're working on their stuff and it's like this nice >> I don't know it reminds me of like um you know like you watch like the UFC embedded stuff how like you'll have high school kids wrestling with like UFC fighters and it's like that ecosystem where they're really helping each other. The older guy will be like hey bro when you're you know giving tips about different things and that's like that's really huge you know what I mean? It's just like a flow of knowledge that you may not get from like doing a drill by yourself.

>> Is 15-year-old Steven Adams up against some of those kind of veteran players or senior players >> starting to realize, [ __ ] I can hold my own here? >> Like is that is that happening on those in those 6 a.m. scrimmages?

>> Uh, not really, bro. It's just like sometimes I just like it's one of these things like say if I get I don't know get around some guy and maybe like get a dunk or a layup or something, I'll just say that that was lucky. >> You [clears throat] know what I mean? Cuz it doesn't happen often. And so I was like, I got lucky then cuz then I'll try it again and I'm getting completely locked out or something like that. Like you'll learn the lesson of why it happened, you know? So I I never really got overconfident with any of that stuff. Um I probably did actually after after like playing like high school, you know, cuz I'll go back to I'll play against all these professionals and stuff and then I'll go play at like Scots College at lunchtime. So I'm like, [laughter] you know, I mean it's just a difference. Yeah. I mean, it's just difference. So yeah, it was still fun. It's pretty incredible like the late start to basketball like only got into it at 14 and then first full year of training you become the national under 17 champ and MVP at the tournament 29 2009 2012 only lost one game four national titles four MVPs.

>> So were you a quick learner? Like was it that that's quite a late start to make such a strong impact?

>> Yeah, I'm not sure about a quick learner. I I just think I was consistent cuz again just show up to all the training. So even after like tournaments, we'll play like regional tournaments or something like I'll I'll go in the next day. We'll like, you know, drive back get back at like 11:00. I'll be in the next morning with Kenny and then we'll be going through stuff, you know. So I think it was just more um consistency. Yeah. And just really trying to just critique stuff and just get better wherever I can. There's one thing like I just kind of figured that I was like always behind the ball. So I always felt like I needed to play catchup always. Like I never actually felt like I'm here I can relax. I was like [ __ ] like damn. Cuz then Kenny would talk to me about some of these kids in America or something like this. So I was like oh that's my that's my goal.

>> So then they're working out all the time. I need to work out more than them.

>> Has that mindset carried through? Cuz I imagine it was the same in college when you got there and in the NBA you're always kind of playing catchup. And do you feel like you've caught up now?

>> I don't know. Like I don't know who the joint is now. It's like I always just have this weird like you need to work out a lot like it's just still that I don't know if it changed whatever. There's no real like person or thing. Oh, it's actually is a thing like it's just myself like what I think I should be playing it. You know what I mean? So that's who I'm chasing if that makes sense.

>> Especially like say like a championship and what comes of that like that's that's kind of like the motivation now.

>> Teenage Steven Adams. Are you starting to think of the NBA as an actual possibility or are you just >> still loving playing?

>> Yeah, no way. Not at all.

>> Not at all. I was just like again I just showed up and played. I just liked playing basketball a lot. And then the goal was um college cuz again Kenny would always preach this in the morning um about just going to college scholarship, you know, being a student athlete. And that was that was the goal. NBA wasn't even in the not even in the freaking books, bro. It's actually funny cuz like even even to the point where even my pre-draft um a lot of the NBA teams I'll go work out for they they asked the question just like oh who do you who in the NBA do you compare yourself to? And I was like bro I don't [ __ ] watch I don't [laughter] I don't watch the NBA.

>> You couldn't watch it here then? Right. It wasn't was it absent from the screens?

>> Yeah. I don't even know. I didn't even watch I was watching like Makona, bro. So like [laughter] I actually answered that like one of them asked me I think it was um Cleveland Cavaliers. They asked me I'm like oh like bro like who do you compare yourself to? I was like, "Oh, book."

>> I was like, "Bro, do you know Mika? [laughter] You guys know Mika, bro, from New Zealand." They were like, "Huh?" I like, "Yeah, Mika Vona, bro. He's the man. I reckon him." [laughter] They're just like, "What the who was this kid?"

>> But yeah, but that's how like detached I was from like the NBA and like it happening. It was just like, "Oh, wow." Like, "Cool." Even even after I got drafted, they called out my name and stuff. I still thought it was fake cuz it's just like I don't know. It's like a weird moment. You just don't know if they're just going to be like, "Oh, just kidding."

>> You know what I mean? You just don't know. I >> feel like David Stern would be Yeah. When you see him in front of you, I feel like that's the >> shaking your hand. But even still, shaking his hand, I'm like, >> "Is this might be a mask?" [laughter]

>> I want to get us to the draft. But you you do get the college scholarship. You go to Pittsburgh for a year. You do a prep school on the way through. But fair to say didn't enjoy it as far as hated it.

>> It was terrible, bro. Um, Yeah, it sucked. Freaking hated it, bro. cuz it was it was just really hard cuz I was away from home. Um, so you know missed you know get homesick and all that sort of stuff like miss my people family just everything's different. It was just a real culture shock. Um, so yeah, that was that was really tough for me. Uh, but you know, you still just like cracking and my coping mechanisms weren't weren't the best either. Like I I was just trying to do the old school like a just tough it up g tough it up. So yeah, I didn't really go talk to many people at all, but I was just like, nah, this is part of it. For some reason, I had this idea like, yeah, you'll be better afterwards. Just like go through like in terms of like, oh, this is painful. It's like, oh, good, cuz then I'll be a better person with the amount of pain, if that makes sense. It was weird like that. That was the mindset.

>> So, yeah, I think I just fell into that, bro. Um, but like I I'm not saying like it was it was entirely bad because like the players that I played with there and even just the people they're like so like some of the coaches like they were really awesome, bro. Like they were really supportive, really good people. Um, yeah. And they were just like really helped me in terms of just getting better as well as just advice, you know. One of them even told me just to go to the league after the first year. He was just like, "Bro, get out of here, bro." cuz he kind of looked at my situation. He's just like, "Bro, don't like if you stay in there, it's going to be bad for you. So, just just go for it." And I was like, "Thanks, bro."

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah. Dante was his name. Dante. He was Yeah, he was good.

>> Do you think back about that advice now and be like, "Wow, like what the path that it led to like what a great decision it was."

>> Yeah. I mean, yeah, he wasn't alone. There was a lot of people kind of saying that in my circle like Kenny and as well as like an agent we had at the time as well. So it was it was more like um it was cool to have that support. Like I knew that was probably the right decision cuz even if a player could see it, you I mean he was giving me that advice. It was just reassuring.

>> Yeah. But it definitely is. It definitely is one of those things where like you know a lot of people have come together along my pathway. Like it's not just me if that makes sense. Like it's not like oh I overcame it. Wasn't even me bro. It was like a lot of people around me. like the best support and yeah, I just try to just do my best, do my part, but they were playing huge parts as well.

>> What did it look like that difficult year? You talk about you didn't have the sort of coping mechanisms. Was it just literally kind of just hanging out by yourself? You go into your room and just kind of >> Yeah, play Xbox. I bought a boomerang cuz like >> Yeah. Just a >> boomerang like a real >> What other [laughter] kind of boomerang? >> I don't know. There's that like boomerang video thing. [laughter] So yeah, just to paint just to paint a really lonely picture. I was uh yeah, cuz I wanted just I was alone and I was like, damn, I want to be outside and so I was like, I'll just get a boomerang so I could throw something and then I could it'll come back to me. And then I threw it and I'm I suck at boomerang. So it just landed. [laughter] So then I was just there in a field just throwing walking back and forth just like Mhm.

>> So yeah, the coping mechanisms were great. Yeah, cuz there's a picture of sort of college where it's, you know, party culture, especially being like a a star on the basketball team.

>> Steven went to college in America as on a soccer >> scholarship. I I had I walked that same path of you leaving your family behind and you're a bit lonely and >> you walked up. It's a [laughter] very different part. Very different parts.

>> But there is the party culture. But what I understand is you kind of that wasn't your scene and you kind of like hang out with the nerds almost like a a quieter place on campus.

>> Yeah, it wasn't. Especially Yeah. I mean, like, you know, the boys at Scots College, you know what I mean? Like, we'll get rowdy, but like, we it's more fun around the lads, you know what I mean? Just have fun with the lads. But yeah, I don't know. In the college culture, it just gets like messy and gets real trashy, if that makes sense. Like, it gets real wild. And I was just like, "Bro, this ain't even fun."

>> He knows. He knows. He knows all.

>> It's not even It's not even genuinely fun. I was like, "Bro, no one's having fun." Yeah, we got to like I was like, "Bro, this is lame, bro. This >> sucks."

>> Real culture clash.

>> Yeah. It's just weird. But yeah, again, it's different culture for them. they're getting like peak dopamine whereas like say for us it's just like getting a box and just chilling out by the beach with the boys with a fire that's peak you know what I mean? So like okay, it's just different >> cuz drinking age is 21 and so we sort of grow up and you have a few beers in the teenage years and it's like it's not that big of a deal. So you get there and it's like you have a few beers. Yeah, cool. They get to have a few beers. Oh my god.

>> Oh my god. Your first time having alcohol like oh yeah

>> all right. It was different. It was different. But yeah, I didn't party. I went there like I went to like one party and was just like yeah, I'm good.

>> Yeah. I'm all right. Where's my boomerang? [laughter]

>> Let me go throw this stick around. Wasn't even a boomerang. It was a stick. That's why it didn't work.

>> If anyone's got any footage of Steven throwing a boomerang on the field,

>> I'm not sure. That paints [laughter] one of the loneliest things I think I've ever pictured in my mind of just like [snorts] trudging along. [laughter]

>> But if I got it right, you were named academic all-American for that for that year.

>> Yeah. It's all fake though, bro.

>> Is it?

>> Yeah. It's all optics and stuff, bro. Like I mean the classes the classes that um they put you in is just not even cuz American school system is a bit different from the New Zealand one. So there is a I don't know like yeah, basically like our stuff is actually a lot harder than their stuff and so the start of like the undergrad stuff what the again the student athlete thing they want you there to play. So a lot of the classes they put you in is like not that great. Yeah. I mean, it's not it's not that hard. So yeah, they'll they'll try and get you up for whatever way and they'll give you an award or something, but they love an award over there. They like to award anything that you know

>> cuz I don't even know what the number is, bro. Could have been a C and like American all American [laughter]

>> grade five grade point.

>> All right, so I want to move us into the combine. Um, you do really well there and you get this is one of the details I love. You you're kind of a bit of a surprise package. like people aren't perhaps expecting that much from you, but you impress them. And so you get invited to all these different NBA teams to work out with them. So you went to the Celtics, the Mavericks, OKC, 76ers, Utah Cavs, Timberwolves, Chicago, Phoenix, Hawks, Trailblazers, and Kings.

>> And you describe it in your book as the most fun you've ever had playing basketball, jetting around to these NBA teams, spending a few days with them, getting gear for all the boys.

>> Is that still one of the best times you remember?

>> No, definitely. Definitely. because it was just like there was no pressure for me cuz I was like I I didn't think I was going to make the league or anything. So I was just like again I was like oh let me just try and like rax as much stuff as I can while I'm on these trips and then you get free food as well. So I was like let me really take advantage of this. You know what I mean? This is it for my life. You know I'm peeking here.

>> So yeah, it was just like all fun. And then you go in and you play you just play basketball. And I I worked out Wikini before that. Like you know what I mean? We're getting prepped for it. Like we took it seriously but you know mentally for me I was just like I don't know if I'm going to make it or not but just going to literally take it day by day maximize that day and then move on.

>> I know you've mentioned you didn't know if it was real or was going to be real but before the draft are there loud noises that you are going to go you are going to get taken in the first round, second round, third round, however it might work.

>> Yeah. Um, I think there was, but like I at the time like I I wasn't locked into like um a lot of this like draft stuff if that makes sense. Like even if I someone showed me someone like do they have you projected hair? I'm just like super skeptical of all that stuff naturally. I'm like okay, it's just some guy talking [ __ ] cuz I was like until like someone comes here and like hey you sign this or something like this and I'm like okay, it's probably legit legit at that point. But before that, it's just like, you know, you're just Yeah, you're just guessing really a lot of these like mock drafts. And I I didn't believe any of it.

>> How does How does the hat thing work?

>> Do you have all the hats ready to go?

>> Yeah, they have a few. Okay.

>> They have a few there, but it's like there it's already signed cuz they know who's picking um like which team pick orders there. Um, and then they'll just like, you can kind of tell cuz you'll see the camera and the people with the hats and they're just like sorting through it and then they'll go to a table and they're just waiting. You know what I mean? And they're just waiting for like the Okay, it is this. And they're like, "Put it on your table." Like, "Oh, here you go." You know, hand it over.

>> Yeah. Bubble burst. Sorry, everyone.

>> Yeah. Yeah. It's quite a big It's quite a big thing.

>> Oh, the sausage is made. It's an industry secret.

>> Yeah. [laughter] They They may have changed it, too. I mean, my my my table was pretty cool cuz like Well, it was pretty lame cuz they had drinks, but like it's just for show, so they glued.

>> No.

>> Yeah, [laughter] bro. I was pissed. I was first. I was like, "God damn."

>> Try it off. It would just look so out of place. Me and my brothers were just hitting it on the table. [laughter] Freaking cold.

>> It's got to be a wild experience that draft night. What do you remember about like your name being called? you realize you're kind of Oklahoma like hours and hours of media interviews afterwards. It must have just been a whirlwind.

>> Yeah, it was. Yeah. After the name call that Yeah. That media run afterwards is just like that's wild. That was a wild joint. But like again, you're still like super happy cuz you're just like wo. So you're just you don't even know what you're saying. It's just all a blur. But then yeah, afterwards going to Oklahoma, it's kind of weird cuz you're like super happy and then you get to Oklahoma and then you're like, oh [ __ ] Then you realize it's like, okay, good for you. You reach that point, but now you're like bottom of the food chain, mate. So then you have to start over. You know what I mean? Cuz you get there and they're like, okay, welcome. And now you got to work. And you no one like they care about you, but you're not you don't have any sort of say, you know what I mean? So you got to work your way up.

>> Does the rest of the roster know anything about you when you turn up at the practice facility?

>> No, not really, bro. I don't think so. Um, I didn't interact with them too much. just from like jailbroke like hollow but I think they yeah I think they may they were aware of the like who they picked and whatnot like I think KD was or something like that he might have tweeted something I think he didn't like me or some [ __ ]

>> and then and then on the flip side are you knowing who you are going to like who your the other guys in your position are before you get there have you done any due diligence or research on that [laughter]

>> not at all yeah I just I just I don't know like whatever my marching orders were bro I just go and do that. So, I didn't know who like who I had to go against or what not. Just like, oh, just go and play. Just Yeah. And just get better. That's all I was that's all I was focused on. Literally just getting better every day. I always thought that like even when I got there, I always thought that um that they were just going to cut me. So, I had this like weird thing kind of pushing me cuz it was a fear that I was going to get cut cuz I just like cuz oh, he sucks, bro. So I was just like yeah every day any sort of workouts I could do I was going hyd. So I think that really helped me out a lot.

>> The two you were up against were Kendrick Perkins and Nick Collinsson. Collison. Um, there's a story that uh Perk threw a few elbows at training and it kind of like turned into a a bit of a bit of a deal.

>> Yeah. No, he was he was trying to establish dominance.

>> Yeah.

>> Silverback is that >> silverback is the one, mate. Yeah, that's what he yelled out after a couple hits and I think he might have got it like a might have scored or some [ __ ] and then he just [ __ ] did a flex and like I'm the only silver back in this [ __ ] I was like [laughter] Jesus Christ, what is wrong with this guy?

>> Like damn, my bad. My bad.

>> And then uh who was it MB gave a a line afterwards about the >> silverbacks have the >> Yep.

>> smaller sticks.

>> Yeah, that's what I did. He was sticking out for me, bro.

>> I was like, I appreciate that, bro. Cuz I didn't talk I didn't talk trash at I was just like, "Okay, they're run down."

>> Yeah.

>> So, yeah, MB was good. MB helped me out a lot. I I freaking love that guy.

>> You played with [snorts] and against some of the very best to ever play the sport and it's cool to hear stories about them, but also keen to hear about some of the guys like Nick Collison who barely averaged double figures his whole career and yet OKC retired number. Like, what does it mean to be a sort of a player like that? What can you tell us about Nick?

>> Yeah, I think it's um yeah, that speak I mean Nick's Nick's just like an amazing amazing like human. Um, he helped me out tremendously especially with like I don't know just like obviously the X's and O's there's a basketball side of it but just like I think it's the approach on how to think about the game. Um, he kind of organized my thinking uh just to be a bit more one like realistic and not too emotional on a lot of cuz it's emotional game but you have to be rational through it and he was a very rational player so he he helped me a lot with that stuff and he has been consistent throughout his whole career right and his impact was crazy like he the team will just do well when he's on the floor like good things happen when Nick's on the floor that's basically how it works and so even though he's not the scoring or not doing this and that. There's all these things where like a breakdown will happen and he's always in the right position to like help out, you know what I mean? And he's always that's what I've always admired about him is that he's always he's always ready for like the worst and then I don't know it might happen once one out of a 100 times but he won't let that fall. So like he's the one who patches it. I think it speaks more to like um the Thunder, their actual what they value because like you know retiring Nick Collison like as you said a lot of it's like oh they scored this much or whatnot but really the Thunder highlighting Nick as a retired jersey speaks more to like they value um a player who's going to come in and really do what impacts winning the most. Not about if you score a lot, nothing about this. Like do you impact winning? Like are you helping your teammates? um are you helping the organization like are you you know when you're outside of the court are you making sure the organization that you're representing are are you representing them well and I think he encompassed all of that and that's what I think he set the standard for every other Thunder player especially when they did that that's just like a they immortalized those values

>> can you coach those values or are they learned by someone who's been in the league for you know x amount of years

>> I think you could um I think you need the right player to come by um come around and then because it's a culture shift, right? And it's really hard to like there's only so much you could do with like hey do this or don't do that and humans don't really respond too well to that anyway. But if there is a player who comes in and you can kind of feel how they are and then they've already embodied that, I think you could probably um use that momentum to really establish that culture and then that's just the standard and everyone picks up some piece of that person and then everyone from there is like oh they learn that like oh yeah they don't do this around here this is what they do you know and I think that's maybe that's how you do it but ask Sam I hope I'm hope I'm saying it right but like that's a GM old Sam Prey So he he'll he'll have a much better answer obviously, but I think that might be it.

>> For you personally, did you learn from more from players like that than the quote unquote kind of superstars or did you mold from and just observe and sponge in those first few years?

>> Yeah, I didn't learn too much about um from the superstars per se. Um uh just more just more about players. Like I didn't I tried to pick take um something from every player and then again cuz everyone's their own different player. There's no one, you know, even if you play the same position and whatnot, you're still just a different human. Everyone's got a different life experience, blah blah blah blah blah, right? So, whatever you can just grab to that maybe can improve you from say like a Russ or KD or Nick or Kendrick Perkins or whatever, you you got to like take responsibility and try and extract what you need cuz like for yourself, you know, you ain't trying to be them. You're just trying to be the best version of you. maybe they have some pretty good habits that might help you out.

>> Was that unique to your approach like trying to learn and understand who your teammates are

>> um

>> in that locker room?

>> No, I don't think it's unique to me. I think every player does that. um maybe they just don't articulate it or like say it out loud, but I think naturally playing sport because you just again it's a lot of the players you come across, they're more like observers that they'll just kind of like watch and then pick up things as they're watching. It's really hard to pick up like stuff when like talking cuz like I don't know English is pretty tough to just convey a idea anyway. But like if you can show someone and like you know it's kind of like fighting if you could feel someone you know what I mean distance you're managing space managing whatever like what you're looking at threat wise and what that's a lot to say and for people to process but if you you're a part of it you can feel that so a lot of way more information will be probably retained than you trying to tell them you know

>> is there a common thread that connects the the KDs and the Russell Westbrooks you know when you you talk about these guys that are perhaps at that other level like is Is there an intensity around the way that they manage themselves or is there anything that you see?

>> Yeah, I think it's um their their talent. they they're definitely talented, but I think it's their focus um on certain like attributes that they have um especially just to improve different aspects of their own personal game, you know. But like for instance, it really just depends cuz like say for instance um like there is a Russell Westbrook of like screen setting or some of this, you know what I mean? But it won't be it may not be highlighted or like talked about or even just like picking someone up full court, there'll be like a Kevin Durant of that particular thing, you know, but again, it just comes down to like what people can actually see. So, when you're in the NBA circles, um that stuff people know about, you know, I mean, especially now with advanced stats and whatnot, so a lot of that stuff is starting to like get recognized a lot. So, a lot of this is just like what separates them is just more about like how are you most potent? again comes down to like impact winning and stuff like this. This come comes down to I think just like how you could be most impactful to the team and a lot of the superstars that come in like they're just like a ridiculous talent but they have that focus as well, you know, and so they could really like their ceiling is way higher in that one aspect, you know what I mean? And there's some obviously like you'll get like the two-way players stuff like that. So like you'll have like a Yic for instance where he'll do a lot of different things like just a ridiculous player but then you'll have like a um like a Kawhi Leonard who's like both sides like a good really good defender super solid and a really good offensive player you know and again I think it just comes down to that's all just talent and hard work and really like a focus on that on those things. That's fascinating about what the sort of the media or the perception is outside and then what the players or the coaches value. Would you say like offensive rebounds is kind of the thing that's become quite sexy and hot in the last few years and that's kind of playing into your favor obviously.

>> Yeah. Yeah, it's definitely playing into my favor. um like that whole advanced stats. Actually, my theory is that um because once the three-point shooting came around, they started um really fishing for a different type of big man. So, like the stretch fives and stuff like this. So, they were like, "Oh, yeah, get like, you know, big men who could shoot." There was a lot of players um who do what I do, but they kind of went towards, "Oh, let me try and shoot and whatnot." They're trying to stretch out the game. But the issue is that like they're not actually the people that they were drafting. Um they they're not used to what I call trench work. So they're not actually good down there and like boxing outs and all these like stuff that's not sexy stuff. They're really not good at it at all. So I could take advantage of them very easily and then get offensive rebounds and whatnot, right? [snorts] But that was I I I link it too because of that that whole trend because I they overlooked that. But then now it's back cuz like honestly like a lot of the techniques I use and stuff like this it would not work on the on the dudes back in the day like a mangat or like a n or something like it won't work.

>> It wouldn't work. It's much more of a big battle.

>> But now I'm versing someone who doesn't even know any of that stuff. So, it's like ah yeah, this is it's like going to be easy. You know what I mean? For me to get position it's going to be very easy. So, and that's what it is.

>> And then now there's like a there's a big hype for like the offensive rebounding stuff. So

>> you I don't know. I I've seen like a few more players that they're like the younger the younger guys are a bit more um old school in that sense. Yeah. Starting to like shift back. Yeah. But either way, it helped me out.

>> Yeah. Yeah.

>> So, I'm like, "Hey, this is a [laughter] three threeear contract for me." I was like, "Oh, >> for sure. I'll keep getting off rebounds."

>> So hot right now.

>> Yeah. Hell yeah. Um, continuing on that rookie season, uh, I'd sort of read in the book you were Russ's assistant in rookie year, which meant bringing him food, carrying bags to plane, that sort of thing. Is that the extent of the initiation? Like there wasn't any sort of like hazing or anything? It was just, you know, you help out a few with a few bags.

>> Yeah, that's pretty much it. Like he was pretty um he was pretty kind to me um in that sense. Like I kind of missed that old school hazing stuff. Like they'll tell me stories freaking you know all sort of locker room stuff you know you you don't doesn't need to be said you know you know freaking grab team throw them into the ice tub and >> whatever stripped down and all that sort of stuff. So it's real the culture was weird >> but yeah by the time I got in it was just like hey just you know bring my bags and all that sort of stuff. So it was pretty easy you know mom was chill and then even now bro like there's no hazing at all.

>> Yeah nothing at all phased out. Yeah, I think just naturally, bro, as generations like went on, they kind of just seen like, oh, it's bullying is actually not as fun,

>> you know? Oh, wow. What a [laughter] thought.

>> That's insane.

>> What?

>> Um, I'd read that Dre and Russ tried to get you to wear nicer clothes. Said in the beginning you were bringing the style down of the team, but then they embraced it and they learned that it was actually your unique style.

>> Yeah. Yeah, there was definitely there was definitely a lot of chat. Like Russ kept talking about like, "Oh, he's going to dress me up one day." You know what I mean? Like for one game cuz he was especially at that time, mate. I don't know if you've seen photos of this guy. He was wearing the most outrageous [ __ ] I've ever seen. [laughter]

>> And I was like, "Bro, like cuz that was my first like introduction to fashion."

>> Yeah.

>> I was like, "Jesus, man." Like, it's way different than New Zealand, bro. [laughter] Like way different, you know? But like, yeah. I don't know. I just I just kept it. I don't know. I think Kiwis are naturally pragmatic, especially where I grew up.

>> So, we just wear stuff for purpose,

>> you know what I mean? Stuff wasn't I just kept the same, you know what I mean? Save a lot of money. Especially showed me the price tag on some of this [ __ ] I was like, "God damn, bro." Super expensive.

>> This is a good time to insert one of our partners. We're sponsored by Barkers, so Barkers dress us and we like to ask all of our guests if they've got a piece of fashion or grooming advice. and the the rookie Stephen Adams looks a very lot different to to the look now. But what do you what do you have any fashion or grooming tips or rules that you live by?

>> Yeah, just freaking shower, bro. [laughter] Make sure you shower. That's usually that's usually 80% of it. You know what [laughter] I mean?

>> Be fresh.

>> Yeah. Yeah, you have to be fresh, bro. Women pick up on that if you don't shower.

>> They do.

>> Have a shower, bro. [laughter] Some of the other stuff you can patch it.

>> It's good advice. It's good advice. Sage advice. [laughter] Um, so I used to work at the Herald as a sports reporter and I remember blogging the OKC Golden State um, playoff in 2016

>> and this was like cuz this was like two or three years in, right? And it was like you'd been drafted into this team and here was this huge game against Steph Curry and Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and >> and man, the whole of the country was watching like there was so much interest in that like first NBA player since Shawn Marx like making a big impact. Did you notice your profile kind of like blow up during that series? Was that kind of a marker where, you know, you got a lot of attention?

>> I think so. I just thought that was just I don't know it was like me specifically, but I just thought it was just a part of the um playoffs cuz everything's just magnified as you know, playoffs is just like all the other teams are gone. You focus on this one team. And yeah, I think I think that series alone because it was so such an emotional series. There was a lot of drama. A lot of drama going on. Freaking I got kicked and all that sort of stuff. We lost like game six and whatever. We're up 3-1. So I think that alone is just like it wrote its own story

>> cuz you were the focal point cuz Yeah. Like you got kicked in the nuts a couple times, right? Draymond Green like

>> Yeah. Game. Yeah. Yeah. It definitely happened twice. One was like a clear kick. The other one was like a knee, but it was like a suspicious knee.

>> I would [laughter] call it a high knee.

>> A suspicious knee.

>> Was there any I'll see you after?

>> Uh no. No. No, not that. None of that stuff, bro. Just like you're all good. Just take your L and just make sure there's still two. Just like one, two, and then you freaking move on, bro. But yeah, like that whole series was freaking awesome, though. But again, I think it was just like its own story. Like it was just like so fun to probably follow along.

>> Like as a player, it was amazing to play and it was just like ridiculous. Even the atmosphere like of the fans was just insane. M

>> like their Oklahoma fans, they're like in crazy loud. Um, and then when we go to OKC, I mean, sorry, when we go to Golden State, their fans are just freaking vicious, talking so much trash, bro. And it's freaking It's cool.

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah. It's really fun.

>> You you kept like you captured the nation's imagination cuz Yeah. Like the underdogs, you come in, you go 3-1 up and lose 4-3 and seventh. And it just I don't know. It felt like this huge swelling of of interest in basketball >> sort of around you. Yeah. It must have been a cool ride to be on.

>> Yeah, it was definitely cool. Yeah, especially just any anytime before that stuff, bro. Especially my line of thinking at the time was just like I'm I'm [snorts] always representing New Zealand.

>> Um, I think I think that's what a lot of it too with like a lot of my reactions like I don't react to a lot of things like say the kicking the nuts and stuff

>> cuz I I just think it's like a Yeah. Again, like you're you're representing a country so you want to make sure that people like oh they're all good. You know what I mean? Like they're good people or whatnot. Yeah, I think it was a bit of that.

>> You've done a lot for the coolness of New Zealand on world stage, I reckon. Cuz Yeah, I didn't think about that. The way you hold yourself is reflective of New Zealand. That's for a lot of Americans that is what they think of New Zealand with you, right?

>> Yeah. Like it might be your first like I that might be their first interaction with a Kiwi or something like oh, [laughter] oh that's a New Zealand, you know, manager

>> showers all the time. It smells good.

>> Smells great. [laughter]

>> Doesn't take much. Yeah, bro. So, it is a bit of that, I think.

>> Keen to get into sort of behind the scenes like, [clears throat] you know, I don't know. I got so many questions here. I don't know where to go. But like offc court >> the life of the NBA star and it's private jets and hotel rooms and millions of dollars. Is it just a different world? Like, is it is it just all a bit surreal?

>> Yeah. Yeah, it's definitely a different world, bro. Especially being from like all Roers.

>> Yeah. Yeah,

>> I mean it's a way different experience, but [sighs] a lot of it, bro. It just all essentially still comes down to the same things. Um, like you you have to still show up and work like your work ethic, your discipline. Um, all that stuff needs to be refined. Um, regardless of money or whatever, especially when you're trying to accomplish a goal, that stuff can't waver at all. Um, and it's like what I see is like a lot of players, um, they love basketball and then they come into the NBA and then they fall in love with the lifestyle and so the basketball becomes secondary and then you see them really start to decline. then they're out the league, you know, and that's again to your point there's like oh millions of dollars, fame and all this sort of [ __ ] but like at the bare bones of it, like it comes back to what got you there in the first place, mate, which was just like your focus, your discipline, you know, your attention to detail, all that, that hard work. So that stuff can't change. If you lose that, then I mean probably not a good thing, mate. you've kind of gone to the other extreme of that cuz there was a viral photo went around I don't know a little while ago of your apartment and it was like a blow up mattress on the floor with a sleeping bag you know like that's the that's the other extreme is that is that the home setup

>> yeah I got a bed now [laughter] spoiled myself I was after that photo I got yeah freaking messages from all my family yo what the [ __ ] are you doing

>> you okay bro any bed sponsors come on board and say we can we can hook we can hook you up

>> hi guys just [laughter] I would like a freaking mattress sponsor please. Yeah. No, no, no, not yet. Not yet. But yeah, I got me a bed and all that, but I don't know. I don't need much. You know what I mean? Now, again, it's like again living situation is very dependent on like if you have a partner as well. So, I probably live the same as a lot of other single dudes, you know what I mean? That's just like, oh yeah, just get a freaking get a mattress, bro, and a TV with some Wi-Fi,

>> your gaming setup, you know, you're good. a drink stacked with fridge stacked with drinks.

>> But yeah, obviously it changes like if you got a partner or something, then you'll spruce it up. Everything you got then

>> you got to start

>> because I mean yeah, that's that's what you're meant to do, you know? But yeah, I like I like living uh living minimalist, you would say.

>> Just getting into the weeds of like a game day. If you've got a home game, what does the actual day look like if it's a nighttime tip off?

>> Yeah. So, um, if it's a 7:00 game, um, typically the team will meet at 10, like 10:00 a.m. and that one will be like a half an hour. Um, oh, sorry. There'll probably be like an hour, hour and a halfish if you're really pushing it. But like first part's film, you go over film, other team strategy, blah blah blah, your own strategy, tactics, whatnot, touch up on some things, get some touch shots just to feel good. And then um yeah, the game's at 7, but everyone has their that's like the

team joins. Before that, everyone has their own individual stuff. So if you like to lift or get your treatments and stuff like that, you usually come in before 10:00. So you'll be there at like 8, 9, depending on the person, come and get all that stuff, and then you'll just go back and rest.

Mine is that like after the 10:00 one, I'll go home, try and like eat, and then try and nap, and then I'll show up. If it's 7:00, I try to get there at like 3:30. Yeah, 3:30 game. And then I'll just start my routine again, just getting the body open, treating different things. Um, you know what I mean? Soft tissue work, all that sort of stuff. Then get on the court, touch up, and then get ready for the game. I'll watch over some film as well, just like if I, if I feel like I need it, but I don't want to cloud. I don't want to like, you know, cram study too much. [snorts] But yeah, and then just 7:00 game and then tip off, bro. Ready to go.

And then like [snorts] you go back to back to back to back some nights as well, right?

>> Yeah. So the game will finish, so let's say if it's a home game and then it's like a back-to-back, we have to leave. I don't know, game finishes at like, like 10:00 or something. You'll get out, then you go straight from the stadium, straight to the airport. Um, then you fly out to like the next destination, maybe get there at whatever time. Hopefully, it's a short flight, but some of these are like, it's pretty, pretty rubbish. You get in at like 2:00 a.m. or something like this. Then you'll play the next day, you know.

And when you say a touch-up, like how many have you got, like a num, like a number of shots that you want to hit or a number of things that you, that you do personally?

>> Oh, personally, personally, like, um, no, I've, I've done more. I, my touch-ups are not really shooting, 'cause I'm not a high volume shooter, you know, man. I shoot, I shoot like maybe, I don't know, like two shots in a game or something. So like, I don't really need to work on, um, that stuff necessarily. I go too hard on that stuff. It's more like, uh, my movement, my movement stuff is what I focus on more. Um, defensive things, touch up on those. Maybe the strategy. So I, I'll start to go through like the foot patterns of what I need to do, blah, blah, blah.

>> That stuff I touch up on more.

>> Do you also like map the bounce of the ball? 'Cause I've heard you get there and you kind of like see where everyone else is shooting and where the ball is likely to go.

>> I think people just complicate it too much, to be honest. [laughter] Like they're really trying to like, hey bro, you have to [ __ ] it. You know what I mean? And it's like, I don't know if you look at like some numbers, basically it's like, okay, if they shoot, just shoot. Just go to the opposite side. Numbers wise, you'll probably, you know, get some of the rebounds if you just go the opposite of the ball. Like I don't watch people's spin of the ball or anything. I, I don't care. I genuinely don't care. It's not that. It's just like if I know that they're shooting there, I'm going to stand there. If they're shooting there, [laughter] I'm going to stand there. It's like, okay.

>> Now you can break it down like, um, I'm, I'm, you know, making it layman's terms, but like, if, if you are trying to like break it down fully.

>> Um, what you can do, like how I see it, uh, personally, is if you, if you look at the, um, if you look bird's eye view from the, um, from the basket, there's 180 degrees. If you look at it like that. If the shot's coming from that way, what you're trying to do is actually occupy more degrees, um, than your person who's trying to box you out. And that's pretty much the game. If you have more degrees of that 180, then you, you're more likely 'cause you have more area to rebound. Does that make sense?

>> It does.

>> Yeah. So, that's what you're trying to do. So, if we're side on, we're going to be even a little bit. You have access to that way. So, more degrees. You have, we have access to like both.

>> You know.

>> But if I, if I jump on your top side and I lock you down, you have access to 10 degrees of rebounding area. I have about 80. Numbers wise, I'll probably win.

>> So that's the game. That's the source. [laughter] If you want it.

>> Are all rims created equal?

>> No.

>> No.

>> We're talking about basketball. [laughter] What are we talking about?

>> Cut from the same cloth. I like it. [laughter]

>> No, but genuinely, are they?

>> Yeah, I'm pretty sure they are. But their joints regulated pretty hard. Um, yeah, they're in the balls and all that sort of [ __ ]. So,

>> Why are we talking about basketball?

>> We talk. [laughter]

>> Are we still on basketball?

>> Now I'm confused. [laughter] Um, I want to ask about the business of NBA because there's a story about, uh, Lance Thomas getting traded while he was sitting next to you on the bus and not being allowed back into the locker room or facility, and that's the reality of the industry you work in, right? So, how do you genuinely connect to something where that can happen to you in a moment, you're kind of, you're taken away?

>> Um, how do we connect to it?

>> Well, yeah. Yeah. I guess from a, like a sports fan's perspective, like that's your team. Yeah.

>> You know what I mean? And like, you're our player.

>> Yes.

>> But sometimes the decision about whether you're our player forever isn't ours or yours. It just happens.

>> Yeah.

>> Is that something that we get wrong as fans? Like, we become too attached to that?

>> No, I don't think so, bro. 'Cause like, um, I think, um, yeah. I mean, that's always like a tough thing for players. Like that Lance Thomas one, that, that was a lesson, like I had to learn that one. That was tough for me. Such an amazing person for me, amazing player, and just like, all around good dude and whatnot. And then, yeah, you just had to learn that like, you, it's literally out of your control. And then the relationship that you grow with that player, it's still there, but it's just that they are somewhere else, but you just don't have as many interactions. It's kind of like if, when you have like a, you know, a childhood schoolmate or something, and then you have to change schools or like, you go to intermediate, different intermediates, you're kind of like, oh, he was my best friend, but then it's like, oh, we kind of like, you know what I mean? It's kind of like the same thing. So that was tough as a player. But for fans, it's like, they love the, they love the team, and then they freaking, you know, you just learn to love the player, learn about them, and then you follow the player. 'Cause a lot of the OKC fans, like they still, they still keep up, keep up with me 'cause they're just, oh, like, wonder how he's doing. You know what I mean? I'm just like, the, I don't know, like their son almost. They just, I wonder if he's doing okay.

>> First love.

>> Yeah. It's one of those, you know. So, it's freaking cool. It's really cool to see.

>> We're sponsored by One New Zealand. Together, we are New Zealand's connection partner. So, we always ask a guest the question about connection. And I wondered about the group chats. Like, when a player is removed like that, are they just [laughter] do they just, is that how you find out sometimes, so and so has been removed from the group chat? You know?

>> There's been a recent, uh, joint 'cause I'm a Samsung guy, but then I was forced to, this was in Memphis. I was forced to freaking buy an iPhone. So, I got that and then I just figured this one out where it's like, it is there, bro. Everyone's in the group chat and then you just see the notification, like, so and so's been removed.

>> [laughter]

>> Yeah, I mean, that's tough. That's tough.

>> Do they have time to like, put the farewell, thanks guys, it's been great, it's been great with, like sometimes too ruthless and you're gone?

>> I mean, that's what happened to me. I was a part of the group chat and then it's just like, oh, I used to get notifications and then it's just like, oh, no more notifications. Like, what happened? What happened? Traded like a [ __ ] damn.

>> Do you have to be really careful on your chats and threads, who, what you're saying? You have to, regardless of who you are, you got to be.

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But with your profile, right? Like, someone else can see it and take a screenshot of messages and get you in trouble. Is that a factor?

>> Uh, I think it's a factor. There's evidence of that, I think. But if you do some digging, [laughter] just really depends on who you look at. But yeah, typically you'd want to be pretty careful. Um, but, you know, depends on what you say, I guess. [laughter]

>> I want to talk about money. I want to be upfront and talk about money 'cause you write in your book a really clever, well, great line. And it's like, you went from poor and brown to white and rich and you got paid 2 million a year in your rookie season.

>> But because of the huge numbers around you earning that, you start to think maybe it's not that great. And then you get 100 mil, you get valued at 100 million for four years. Like, it's just, it's crazy to wrap your head around. But what is your relationship with money? Like, how, how do you make sense of it?

>> Uh, I definitely, um, get help. That was the number one thing. Like, um, 'cause I didn't, I didn't really have that much of a relationship with money in the first place. I didn't value it like that. Obviously, I knew there was like some utility to it. This is just like growing up in Rotorua and everything. Um, but yeah, like I didn't really have like this super, like, I don't know, like, it's not motivating, if that makes sense. Like, it's not, it's just almost, it's just a byproduct. Like the money, the whole NBA thing, and it pays you. It's like, that's cool, but I'll still be doing basketball. Like, I don't, I don't care even if I'm not in the NBA. I'll go play somewhere else, bro. I really don't mind. I just like playing basketball, you know. So that, I kind of kept that same mentality and I just made sure that like the team around me were people who really understood money and then I just learned from them 'cause I, I don't know, bro. I don't know what the hell to do. Like, who knows what to do with 100 mil? Yeah. You get the guy who knows what to do with 100 mil.

>> You know what I mean? So, it's just those guys and then they just, over, over the years, just kept teaching me, know, like why they do stuff, how you look at [snorts] this X's and O's and all that sort of stuff. So.

>> Is it hard when it's so public and everyone knows how much you're earning and do you have to be quite guarded of who's wanting things from you all the time?

>> Yeah. Yeah. You naturally come with that. Like, that's, that's an unfortunate reality. And and again, it's not just like NBA players. Um, you'll come across that too. Um, like when you get to just some certain level of success, regardless, probably even your podcast, to be honest, there might be like people who start to change or treat you guys different just 'cause that's just the nature of it. Just people, people just like are trying to find, um, like they're just looking for help and they think that you're the answer, you know? And that's not a bad thing. But again, the, it does change the dynamic 'cause before it used to be, oh, you're just boys or like, you know, your friends or family or whatever. Um, and then that just, like, it changes it in some way. You're not familiar with it. So, you have to talk it through. That's the only way you could do it is like, talk it through on how to do that. And thankfully for me, a lot of my boys and like even my family, they have not.

>> They're not.

>> That's just not how they roll.

>> At all.

>> Which is actually a bit of an issue because like, you know, especially family, like, you, you want to help out, but they're not letting you help out.

>> Especially 'cause you're not like, you know, I'm the youngest of the family. So, like, in my family, I'm, I'm seen as like the little [ __ ] annoying kid, you know? I still am, you know? I mean, that's just how I am.

>> Everyone else sees like, "Oh, NBA players." Like, and them, they're just like this little [ __ ] [laughter] you know, what the [ __ ]?

>> Yeah.

>> So, like that dynamic is still there where they want to like, you know what I mean? They.

>> Yeah. Yeah.

>> Like, I want to help out, but I don't, like, they won't accept it. You know what I mean? So, it's like, again, you just talk through those, through those things and whatnot. But that's been another thing that I've been like extremely lucky about 'cause there's a lot of, uh, stories where I don't know, a lot of relationships start to get a bit dicey.

>> Because of that, you know. So, yeah.

>> One of the details is Rob always pays for your meal. He doesn't let you still, he still freaking comes out. So I have to sneak in and freaking like get ahead of him too. [laughter] You know? So like.

>> There's some advantages being the youngest. It's quite, it's not, it's not all bad.

>> Yeah, it's cool, you know? Like it is. But like, I don't know. You kind of, you know, you, you're just like, I really want to like take you out, you know? You just have that like, man, I want to treat you, you know? And like, it does happen sometimes and I, I feel really like happy and grateful that I can do it because of how much like,

>> You know, I just love them and then they, I know that they're looking after me.

>> So, yeah, whatever way, you know.

>> I've got a section here. It's the Steven Adams brand. And I've got about eight, um, sort of like little stories that I want to ask you about. Um.

>> Eight fishing hooks in the water.

>> Fishing hooks. See if, see if we catch anything. The first one was when you, uh, retired from trash talking. Um, do you remember what you said? There's a quote there that, um, about eating with a knife and fork.

>> Yeah, I just told, um, the 660 boys the story actually [laughter] on why I don't, I don't talk trash at all. But yeah, that was definitely what happened. Um, I think it was Valentunis. Yeah, it was Valentunis was just saying something like, you better watch yourself or something like that. And I was like, I don't know why I even said it. I just like blacked out almost. He was just like, "Bro, you eat with a knife and fork, bro. I eat you with my my bare hands. Like, you ain't going to do shit." And it was so weird 'cause then afterwards, after the game, I was like, [laughter] "That's so cringe, bro."

>> Like, all the things I could have just told to shut up and then probably what it did had some pretty good effect.

>> But like, I don't know, 'cause I, I started thinking like, he was probably so confused at a comeback 'cause I'm accusing him of something that has been socially accepted [laughter] for the past 80 years. And then I'm making him feel self-conscious about that.

>> Because I'm saying, "Oh yeah, you use another fork. What a." And he's just like, "Wait, but bro, what?" [laughter]

>> He would have been thinking about that afterwards.

>> We have evolved past this, bro. Knife and fork has been around for centuries.

>> Have I been doing it wrong?

>> Straight [laughter] up.

>> So I'm like, bro, you know what? No more trash talk, mate.

>> The old time one is, is the Kevin Garnett story, right?

>> Yeah. Yeah. That's the, that, that made its rounds, I think, when I was on, um, different podcasts. Yeah. Said that same story. That one's, he actually hit me up recently, um, because of that one and said that he's got something for me and Garnett. So I was like, damn.

>> So that's your rookie year.

>> Yeah, it was a rookie.

>> And he's, and he's like, one of the all-time trash talkers, right?

>> Yeah, it was him and Kendrick actually, 'cause Kendrick learned from him. So, um, but he is definitely like, he is very, very good at trash talk. But it was that where, yeah, he tried, tried it with me and, yeah, had to say no English just to get out of it, dude, and it worked, and it worked great. And then I got a message after that went viral or whatever. I got a message from him saying that like, yeah, I got something for you now, but like, so I can't use it again. I could try it. Still hasn't, still haven't learned it yet. [laughter] It's.

>> It's quick. I'm assuming that's not saved up. That's something that just came to you on the spot. Yeah.

>> Um, [snorts] other question. Did you really try to scratch your face until it bleeds to get a timeout?

>> Yeah. And then the coach said not to. Um, I thought it was a, I mean, it was a, look, you're just utilizing the rules. There's a, it's a blood timeout.

>> Is that a game? Have you thought through this beforehand? And.

>> Oh, not beforehand. Just like, it's, it's spur of the moment, but you just like understand the ruling where it's like, okay, like you need to get a good play here. Uh, we don't have a timeout, but they are, like, there's like a wet spot or something like this. So, you just sh, like blood times are 30-second timeouts. They have to tend to the blood. So, I was like, "All right, let me, let me just thing." And I was talking to, I started it and then I talked to the coach. I was like, "Bro, I'll just [ __ ] 'cause I told him I would like, just punch my nose here [laughter] like, I'll just crack my nose and then it will start to bleed and I'll be like, "Bro, it'll be blood." And then we'll get a timeout." And he's just like, I thought in my mind I was like, oh, he'll look at me like, what a great idea. [laughter] You're amazing. But then he was looking at me like his eyes were just like, what the [ __ ] is just like, what the [ __ ] is wrong with this guy? And I was like, oh, like the face didn't match the what I imagined. So I was like, oh, no. [laughter]

>> Can you imagine one of the 50 cameras in the venue just seeing the nod from the coach and then I'm like [laughter] yeah. Oh [ __ ] yeah. But yeah, there. So, we didn't have to do that. But I thought it was a good tactic. We could have, we could have maybe drew up something good.

>> Deliberately stinking out the team film room with your pound of ground beef and six eggs for breakfast.

>> I'm not deliberately doing it. People are just not fond of that smell. Now, I will say like ground beef and eggs typically smell pretty good when it's fresh off the pan.

>> Yeah.

>> Sometimes they make it and it's been sitting in a warmer for like an hour. So you have like these like gray eggs. [laughter]

>> And so I'm like, yum. Open that joint up and people are just like, "Oh my god." [laughter] Trying to focus and their eyes are like watering like they're just, yeah. It's not, I don't think they miss me in this moment where I'm not with the team [laughter] right now. They probably don't miss my, uh, [ __ ] my, my eggs, my eggs and ground beef.

>> There's been a lot of chat about like what you like in the wait room, beer crawls. Um, I've heard that you sort of single-handedly brought back the sauna in a few of the teams you're at.

>> Oh, yeah. Yeah.

>> Is, are you quite unique in the way that you, you work out and handle yourself in the gym?

>> I think so. I think I'm, yeah, I got a unique approach, um, which is more [snorts] um, yeah, it's just more focused around just functionality and efficiency of movement. It's more based around that, not so much about like big numbers and like quote unquote stronger in that sense. Um, yeah, and that's been working now for me. Um, you know, my, my career. So I just stick with that and then again, it's just like some of these things like I like the sauna. Like, there's a lot of studies around sauna, it's good, blah, blah, blah. So I just try and just do a lot of those small things.

>> Yeah.

>> Um, regardless of those, like the sauna, the sauna one came about especially the one in Memphis. Um, I just find a sauna a good place to, uh, vent. Uh, because like one of the, one of the key things that happens is like, dude, like you're kind of shared suffering 'cause the sauna is hot as [ __ ], you know what I mean? So especially like when I'm in there, I just turn it up crazy. You know what I mean? Turn it up. Just ramp it up. And so then you start talking with players, you kind of just melting away their walls that they'll usually, you have time to like fabricate some [ __ ] answer, like, you know what I mean? You're trying to get to the bottom of something like, "Yo, why'd you do this in the game?" They'll give you like, "Oh man, like, you know, it's about the team." Yeah. Something [ __ ]. And you're just like, "Well,

>> Come on, dude."

>> And so then when you're in the sauna, they'll just like, "Fuck, man. I just wanted to score that, bro." You know what I mean? They'll just be a lot more honest right away. And that's fine. You know what I mean? Like, and there's nothing wrong with that. Like, whatever it is, but like, yeah, at least he's, at least you're hitting it, right? You know what I mean? Like, okay, he's being upfront now. You could start to.

>> Build something from that 'cause it's real.

>> You know what I mean? So, that was socially, that was probably one of the better, um, advantages of a sauna.

>> I love that. Um, you've been ranked the undisputed strongest person in the in the NBA. Do you buy into that or who is your competition if you don't think you are?

>> Yeah, I don't think I am. Um, I don't even know who's voting, to be honest. I don't know where [laughter] this came from.

>> Undisputed, few people talking online.

>> Yeah. All I think that happened is just like, I don't know, like, I think it started with like Jimmy Butler where like I screened him like once and it just like, I don't know. I think you try to like run through the screen, but like I'm a bigger dude and like I, I hold my screens and a lot of big bigs, they usually touch and go, but I'm like, I'll just [ __ ] make sure that I crack this dude. So I think it was from there and then he was just like, "Bro, he's the strongest dude." And then from there it just started this trend which kind of didn't help me, I don't think, 'cause then the referees believe this [sighs] too.

>> So then I get cracked a lot and they're just like, "Oh, you're strong, bro. You [laughter] can get through it, bro." And I'm just like, "Bro, call the foul, dude. Come on, please. Please, dude."

>> Do you reckon they could, uh, implement like an arm wrestle into Allstar weekend?

>> You reckon that'll sell?

>> Um, hey, it's a whole thing like Dana White did the whole one, wasn't it?

>> Bring that into the NBA.

>> What do you reckon on Allstar weekend? Three-point shooting, dunk comp, and then just a little,

>> Little arm wrestle. Jesus, that'll be [ __ ]. I mean, maybe.

>> Dislocated shoulders everywhere and elbows. But.

>> Yeah, that'll be rough. [laughter] Actually.

>> That'll be a problem.

>> That'll be rough. Question on that 'cause you trained with, um, Val Dame, Val, uh, when you were both at your prime peak, your powers in Switzerland, I think.

>> Yeah.

>> If you had arm wrestled then, who, who wins?

>> She would.

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah. Yeah. She would. It was that whole thing was like, um, very emasculating, bro. Working out with her was just insane.

>> Was it?

>> Yeah. Yeah. 'Cause I wasn't, 'cause again, I was doing like, you know, functional stuff and like I played around with some weights and all that, bro. She was warming up with like my max bench and I was like, for brother, like, oh my days. I was like, all right, whatever, dude. So then I resorted to like trash talk. [laughter]

>> Thought we retired that.

>> Yeah. I bought that. Yeah. I bought that in 'cause I was way down. So I was like, you're [laughter] fat.

>> You eat with a knife and fork.

>> I was like, damn, bro. But like, yeah, she was, she was an animal, especially there. Like, her environment up there was amazing. It was just beautiful. Was Beal, place called Biel, and that's where like the Olympic, um, facility is. And there was just like her coach, the late coach, actually, uh, St. Pierre, or John Pierre? Yeah, John Pierre.

>> Like him. He was, he was freaking, um, amazing. Just such a warm dude. And their trainings were just super intense. And she is like, by far the most disciplined person I've ever come across. Like, she's very to the tea. Like, I have seven minutes of phone time. I was like, seven minutes? Like, goddamn. Like, and [snorts] that's in like your diary, you know? And I have to drink here, like a protein shake there, blah, blah, blah. It was a very to the tea.

>> You [snorts] know. That's that's crazy. But that's why she's the best, you know. I mean, that's what it takes.

>> And that's why it's like unfamiliar for like, maybe a lot of people, because it's just like, yeah, that's what it takes for her. She needs to be, yeah.

>> Has your relationship strengthened as you have that similar ground of being kind of world-class athletes and you've got that common ground?

>> Yep. Yeah. Yeah. There's definitely stuff that you could relate on more, especially just growing up. I think just like growing up in general from like when I was a kid to like even just, you know, becoming an adult. Um, that alone kind of pushed a better relationship, more of like a respect on what each other does. Um, and then yeah, from there, it's just like, I guess got me being the NBA and then her, like what you said, just like world athletes or whatever. It's still like a disparity. She's still like, by far the best and insane, but there is some, yeah, familiarity with like the whole approach and whatnot. And it's really cool to like talk about with your, with your siblings and stuff, you know, 'cause it's not even just her. There's like other siblings that we talk about this. Even with Lisa, she's on that path to like, she's starting to, she like went into a different phase of like, again, it's all this like micro stuff that people don't, you know, everyday gym goers probably won't even think about. It's like that stuff that is like really interesting 'cause that's where the nuances and that stuff is like typically pretty cool to talk about.

>> That's where you operate though, right? Is those little, those little 1 percenters, are those little small things that you can gain to help your, uh, performance.

>> Yeah, for sure. But like, it's definitely, that's where I'm, that's where I'm at now, of the phase. But then like, I think some of the mistake is like, some people focus on that stuff and they haven't even done like the 90% of the work yet. Does that make sense? Yeah. It's kind of like, um, how people take like a bunch of supplements.

>> And they're expecting like this drastic change and it's like, oh, you still got to go run, bro.

>> Yeah.

>> Like, do the running first. You know what I mean? Do all this stuff first and like, work out and then all the other stuff will come at the end. You know what I mean? Just focus on the 90% of it first. Get all that work done, clean that up, and then, then you can start to really hone in on the other things.

>> I've got lots of questions about rehab and injury. I want to get through my, um, talking list. Do you grab players arms or ribs at offensive free throws to test their strength or are you just messing around? There's sort of a video of you sort of doing.

>> Um, yeah, sometimes I, I test their base.

>> So, again, I just need to, I just need to know like if I'm not really familiar with the player or I know I'm familiar with the player, I don't know, they might be recovering from, I don't know, some sort of injury a long time ago. I'm not going to try to reinjure them, but I'm just testing to see if they are, um, like basing appropriately and then based on that is what I'll do.

>> Yeah. Like in terms of a technique or whatever. So they give me feedback and they don't know it.

>> Like I know that he's, like I touch him and then he overreacts. So it's like, okay, this is like a threatening position for him. So I could bait an overreaction or if I hit him and then he's like, he sinks a bit too much. So there's a weakness there. So instead of like, okay, I just need to push down into that leg and it's going to collapse because it's weak. So that's the feedback. So I just look at that stuff, especially if I don't know them. Just, just test it, get my information or whatever data and then go around with the game and then they wonder why [laughter] this stuff happens and they're like, "What the fuck?" And it's like, "Yeah,

>> It's amazing. Is this something that you, is you just do by yourself or [snorts] have people suggested that you do it or have you learned it from?

>> I mean, it's, it's, it's mainly, it mainly just comes from like, it's more based in like jiu-jitsu, um, that line of, uh, physical art or whatever you want to call it, just fighting 'cause like their stuff is about where, where are your basing from? Like, it's all about base, that [snorts] whole thing, right? So.

>> Trainer.

>> Yeah. Huh? Megan trainer. It's all about that beast and who's that beast [laughter] today? That, yeah, it could be. I was thinking it. You said it. I said it. I just said it. About that base.

>> Yeah. Noble.

>> It is. It is. It is based in. It's just based in that. And then you got me saying base, dude. [laughter] I'm going to. No, but it is just like, it's just about that again. Like, where are they generating power from and like, can you manipulate it?

>> And then, yeah, that's all it is.

>> That's fascinating.

>> It's games. It's not gamesmanship or the dark arts. It's just, I don't, I guess it's 12 years of experience and trying to gain those little 1 percenters that we're talking about.

>> Yeah, that's all it is. And that's what it just comes down to, bro. But again, a lot of the stuff is like, um, it was, it was already like the trench work, I call it. It's like that was all done when I first got in the league 'cause again, there was like bigger dudes and like they have to find out ways. You can't just keep hitting each other. It's inefficient for both parties 'cause you're just like, dude, like, yeah, one, you're going to get like sore or whatever, but you're using a lot of energy. So if you could, you, if you could outlast your opponent where they're expending more energy than you, typically you win in anything, even if it's like fighting, if, if you're maxing out and I could just like withstand it. I mean, mate, there's still like freaking 10 rounds, mate. You're done. You're done. So it's a similar, similar approach. All right, last one before we move on. Um, you played against Kobe. Did you have any meaningful interactions with him or did you get any advice or did you have any crossover?

>> No, bro. 'Cause I didn't look up to him. E, um, like I didn't, I didn't have anything for like, in, in my eyes, I was like, "Oh, this guy's like a three-man. He's coming off the screen." Like, I was just doing more like of an actual like basketball report. Um, that's how I thought of him. Like obviously I knew he was like a really good player, but yeah, it wasn't like I need to learn something from this guy. It was more just like an appreciation for like the type of player he is because it was, it was just like insane the skill and like the discipline. It's always cool to see those, like, you know, the person has done so much work to get to that point and that's when the appreciation comes in, you know? But yeah, I don't think I could, um, maybe I could have, but I just, like, just sometimes you just don't even need to do that. You're just like, "Cool." You know what I mean? It's just like, just like, "Oh yeah, that's cool." You don't need to freaking figure it out or nothing.

>> Just appreciate it for what it is and just sweet, bro.

>> You injured your right knee, your PCL, and spent 645 days injured across 23, 24. You sort of faced your basketball mortality earlier than most. What has that changed about how you see the game and your life outside of it? And then keen to sort of talk in detail about some of the rehab and the things that that you've done and are doing.

>> That was, yeah, that was a big moment for me 'cause that was my first, um, major surgery. So, that was pretty, yeah, that was pretty, pretty wild. Um, [snorts] it was fun along the way. Um, but yeah, a lot of discipline. And what I mean by fun is like, I was talking trash to like the anesthesiologist. I always do for some reason, like when I'm doing surgery, just like, "Bro, you don't have the [ __ ] to put me to sleep 'cause like you don't have it." Yeah. They start doing all, yeah. It just, uh, that was the fun part. But then like, you know, after surgery, just, um, I think what's good about, um, my brain is that like, uh, I really enjoy the progress of the little things. So with, um, I think that really helped me out with the surgery 'cause you have to start from square one. And as long as I'm just like working, like there's a, a focus every day. Um, especially with the guy I was with, his name's Mike Davis, or Dr. Mike Davis. Um, he really helped me just hone in every single day on these little gains, like these 1 percenters every day, again, like learning how to walk again, how to walk efficiently.

>> Yeah. You say square one, that's literally learning how to walk again, right?

>> Yeah. Learn how to walk again, how to like function, how to level change, and we go over everything, like literally everything. And yeah, that's what I mean. Like, it was good 'cause I always found that stuff very interesting, you know what I mean? So, I'm, I'm like locked in. I'm not like dreading like workouts. I'm like, I'm really excited like every day. I find that like there is a point where I'm neutral, then I start to get like antsy, you know what I mean? 'Cause I need to go like left or right. I just need to keep moving. So even if it's like something as small as like, you'll move your big toe up and down, you know, or your freaking whatever toes. Like I'm like, "Hell yeah, brother." [laughter]

>> Yes. So yeah, that stuff was, that stuff slowed me down a lot as well. Just, um, more fine-tuning, um, more appreciation for that stuff. And it also like kind of gave me a different perspective on, um, the everyday life 'cause look, NBA, you don't have a Monday-Friday weekend off. That's not your, that's not your schedule. You have game day, practice, and travel. You know what I mean? Like, that's it. And so you just follow that schedule wherever that falls. And so it was actually, it was actually kind of nice 'cause that was the first time in a very long time where during that period where I actually had a Monday to Friday, you know what I mean? It was Monday to Friday and weekends off and I was like, "Oh, this is actually pretty cool, man." Like, 'cause then you're a part of like social,

>> Some sort of social stuff with the friends and stuff like that 'cause it's a weekend and.

>> That, that, that aspect of it was actually pretty cool.

>> Uh, 'cause you know, you don't really have that NBA offseason. You do, but like, yeah, it was just different. Um, but yeah, it was a good learning experience, bro. Um, yeah, a lot of effort, a lot of these like grueling sessions and and whatnot. And yeah, just, it ended up being like really good. And I stuck through it, too. Even when I came back and played, like I was still doing all the little things and just keep building up until the playoffs. Um, and then that's where our plan was, was just trying to peak at the playoffs and it just [ __ ] yeah, it went really well.

When you say you learned how to walk again, like how much, how different is the way you walk now to the way you did? Like, are there major changes?

>> There was like a big difference 'cause like I wasn't, it just wasn't smooth. You know what I mean? Like it wasn't, I was leaning a little bit, even if it didn't look like I was leaning entirely. Like, you could tell by just like pressure through the foot where I was started building up tension and stuff. Like the bro is like really detailed and he considers all that stuff, like where does he build up tension first? Oh, so it's across here. So that means he was using his foot like this, which is not what we want. We want it more balanced out. So then we start changing it. Blah, blah, blah.

>> Are you frothing these details as he's telling you?

>> Was it? Yeah, 'cause I'm just like, yeah, 'cause again, it's like anytime, anytime someone gets to that level, you know that they are, they are very much like, um, [snorts] they're, they're like journeymen or like, like they're very much like trying to perfect their craft and like anyone, like we all appreciate it, like, you know, I mean, you finally see like a woodwork guy and you're like, damn, like, you, they go into the level of detail. You, there's a great appreciation for it. And that's what it felt like was just like, damn, he was looking at what and he was like, he could see that stuff and he's considering all that stuff where a lot of people won't. They'll focus on like the big stuff, but he's just like, "Yeah, he teases off all that, clears it all up and yeah, we get, we get great results because of that."

Physically grueling, but how were you mentally? Was it tough as well to, to not have that part or did it open up a new part of your interest into other areas of life?

>> Yeah, mentally it was, mentally it was tough at first 'cause I didn't know, I, there was just like, I was, I was questioning like if I'm, like, can I make it back and all that sort of stuff 'cause it was contract year coming up and all that sort of stuff. So there was a bit of that. It didn't last long though 'cause I was just like, again, I just fell back to like, oh, well, just [ __ ] do what I always do, mate, and just work, you know what I mean? Just again, focus, stay on your hard work joints and make some sacrifices, that's pretty much it, bro, like, you know what I mean? It's not too much like motivation, it's really comes down to like your discipline, like 'cause there's plenty of days you wake up, you do not want to freaking move, you don't want to go work out. You don't want to do any of that stuff. You know what I mean? It sucks. Like, it's grueling and then the voice, especially the voice in your head always telling you like, hey, maybe you should relax or you shouldn't do this. So trying to like, really quiet that voice down, everyone has it, but really quiet that voice down and try and do the opposite of that one. Like those joints are pretty tough. No, you just do it and then you realize like, ah, okay, like this is, I feel a lot better because I did it. I'm actually proud that I did it. Blah, blah, blah. And so, yeah, that's where, that's where I think just discipline. It just trumps any of these like motivation or videos or something like this. You know what I mean? 'Cause it's limited. I think the motivation is limited, but discipline, it really just stays with you.

Where does Body Lever fit into this? 'Cause I've seen these sort of huge big nunchucks that seem to travel with you everywhere. What? Yeah. What can you tell us about Body Lever?

>> Oh, Body Lever. Yeah. So, that's that was a, that was a dude I met, bro. Like it was, it was this company we started to, um, we hit up and then like, yeah, they have like the big num chucks, right? And just the tool alone, I was just like finding just like really, really good results, like great results of just like soft tissue work and like really getting deep into tissue that typically you won't get from any other soft tissue tool. So I was, I was sold right away. So I used that throughout my whole, like my bounce back to playing. I was using that throughout the whole, that's why he sent me a bunch of photos, like everyone was like, what, who is he gonna beat up? You know, [laughter] 'cause it is a bizarre looking freaking tool, but.

>> Michelangelo.

>> Yeah, straight up, some like ninja turtle joint, but yeah, just like, yeah, I just used it and then like a lot of the players, they started to like come to me and ask me for the num chucks 'cause I'll just be there and they're like, yo, my calf is tight, bro, like, can I use your joint? I was like, oh, and then I'll show them how to hit their calf and then they'll do and then just like, oh my god, bro, they feel so much better. And this was just like right for a game. So, it's just like, it's not just me. There's been like, it definitely works. There's been like, really great results because of it. And it's just, yeah, I just, yeah, I just vouch for it 'cause it helped me. I got good results from it and just like, damn, like partnered with them and make sure that people like, yeah, bro, like, [ __ ] this [ __ ] works, bro. Like, you should try it. Like, it actually works.

>> Can you get them in New Zealand?

>> Yep. You can get them in New Zealand, bro. Yeah. Just online, just drop shipping.

>> Do you ever operate at 100% now?

>> No. No. Like, like physically at 100% as a, as a professional athlete, or are you always managing and.

>> Yeah, it's always managing. So it's always hard to say if you are 100%. Well, 'cause there's one thing is like, okay, are you mentally? Are you like 100%? It's like, okay, you could feel that way. Physically, you could be presenting, you could be presenting not 100%, you know, but you can't feel that you're just like, so like jacked up, you know what I mean? Hit some smelling salts, mate, you'll be [ __ ], yeah, I'm 100%. No, you're not, you know what I mean? But like, it, it just depends. Um, I think I could get close to like, I.

don't know, just moving the average how I feel like every day throughout the season. I could probably move that up more because of just again, my habits and care that I take on my body and whatnot. So, I'm I'm pretty, I think I'm pretty high. But yeah, I don't think it will ever reach 100 for anyone.

>> Is there anything else around that sort of injury rehab space that, 'cause it has been a bit of a a difficult path. You're injured at the moment. Like, >> Yeah. >> Is there anything else that you think people don't know or might be interested to share?

>> Yeah, I think it's just like the that whole process of just like building back. I think it's just like a good time. You start to learn about yourself more, like you you get introduced to yourself because one thing is like, yeah, obviously you you have an appreciation for like health. Everyone does, you know what I mean? Like of actually being able to walk and whatnot, but just like, um, you really start to see like what type of person you are 'cause no one no one else is around again. And even when you're with the team, they care about you, but they're not like, no one's really checking up on you like that. You know what I mean? Like they'll like, oh, like once I so often whenever they remember. So you're really on your own. You're kind of isolating yourself. And so then you're like, you have to really be okay with yourself, you know? I I think that was pretty interesting for me. Like, okay, like I I typically enjoy my own company and whatnot. I'm pretty good about myself, but then just like learning what type of, um, like what type of discipline do you have? You know what I mean? Again, like how how are you again that voice? Like that was like a real thing, bro. That it is actually really tough to not listen to it. Like, bro, you you washed, bro. Like, just get out of the freaking league. Like, just give up, bro. You know, there's all that sort of chat. It's really nasty self-chat, you know? And just introducing that and just trying to acknowledge that like that's a part of you, like not trying to ignore it. Like, okay, there's there probably put in like fear of failure and stuff like that, but yeah, just going through that stuff. So journaling helped me a lot through that stuff, um, and that was, I I found pretty interesting 'cause it was just like, yeah, it's just like a it's a very personal experience that no one else knows about or anyone else will probably go through with you. Like, you have to go through it yourself. So you it's really just you and your own. But you have to try and work through it.

>> What do you write in the journal?

>> I use this like technique. I don't even know where I got it from, bro. But I just started doing it randomly. Someone definitely smarter than me. Way smarter than me. Definitely invested this technique, but I don't know who it was. But all I did was, um, uh, I write down exactly how I feel. Uh, and it's just raw emotions. And like whatever it is, the word, bro, I'm just writing it down. Even if it's like a not even a fully made sentence. 'Cause it didn't even have to make sense. But I put that all down and then what I do is just like, I'll stop, then I'll reread it, and then I'll respond in a different font, like a different color, sorry, different color. And then it's the one that I read the raw emotion, I imagine that as like a 10-year-old Steven, and then my response is an adult Steven. So then I'll do more of like, okay, this one's like going crazy again. That's more like the self-hate, like, "Oh, you suck and blah blah blah." The response is more, "Hey, bro, I'm actually really proud that you you acknowledge this, this, and that. Understand it's a stressful moment. You're doing a good job." 'Cause I'm, it's like I'm giving advice to actual kid 'cause it's something that you actually do. 'Cause a lot of us, we probably would like if your mate comes to you and asks you for advice, you would be very, very nice to that person.

>> Same scenario for yourself, you probably won't, you know, because just how I don't know, just how the brain works, I guess. So, I just, um, yeah, it's kind of like that. I just like remove myself and like, I'm talking to a younger Steven and giving advice, and that seemed to work out like pretty well.

>> Amazing. How How long have you been doing that for?

>> I've been doing that for like maybe 6 years, six, seven years.

>> And it consistent. Is it an everyday?

>> Not everyday thing, bro. Just like I notice myself like when when I first started. Yes. Like it was like a very consistent thing. And then afterwards I was just like more I was in a more comfortable spot with myself, um, as a person and just like how I am. And yeah, from there, bro, I was just like, kind of do it more if I feel like that I need to work through something, if I feel myself getting there, like I like I can feel myself getting like super emotional about this, super stressful or something. So then then I'll start to hit it. Sometimes still happens before games and stuff like there will be certain games where I'll just have like a lot of doubt about something. So then I'll just right before a game, boom, just go quickly tear it out. Yeah, 'cause you need to clear it. You need to clear all that stuff. Yeah, 'cause then essentially it's your responsibility, mate. Otherwise, you're going to let down your teammates because you have some brain fog or some stuff there. There's ability for you to actually take care of it. But a lot of people, they take the more of the approach that I had in college, which was like, oh, just tough through it, bro.

>> You know what I mean? Just string through it. But you just >> you you could use these techniques to really help you through it, you know? Um, just brings clarity to it instead of you just like weathering the storm. Just see what the storm is, you know?

>> That's brilliant. Does anyone else has it spread? Does Has anyone else seen you doing that and picked it up themselves? Teammates or it's just a you thing.

>> Yeah, not at all, bro. Uh, 'cause everyone has their own thing, but I don't know. I kind of stick by the the rule of like, I don't know when teacher will show up when the student is ready sort of buzz, as in like, yeah, like I'm not going to, oh, hey, bro, check this out. But just like, you know, someone asks, like, okay, >> Yeah, bro, this is what I do. Like, if you want, you could try it too.

>> Is that something you might like introduce through those high school invitationals and to those student athletes that may be coming through that might have that storm on the horizon.

>> No, 100%. Because again, like one of the biggest issues is the homesickness. Like I still get homesick. You know what I mean? 'Cause it's just like I love New Zealand, bro. Like my people are here. It's funny. The banter, it's funny. Like, you know, everything's good. I'm comfortable here. So every time I go back, I get homesick every year 'cause I just want to come back. But yeah, especially for the the athletes that go over, some of them, it's actually some of them are really good, and then some of them really struggle, you know? And so whatever technique can be available, we try and support them in whatever way 'cause as long as you're there like on their journey, 'cause they still have to play, they have to perform and all that. And it's like [ __ ] if it's something is, you know, for us it seems simple, but like for them it might mean the world. Like for me, it means the world, obviously, but like this technique to help them really determine where they come home or stay, it's like, yeah, bro, like that's very, very huge.

>> So we recently came across a video of you speaking at MIT with data scientists and analysts talking about the future of basketball decision-m >> what was what was that where nerds run the show right?

>> Yeah, the nerds, bro. Yeah, nerds. I was hanging out with the nerds. It was really cool, actually. I was, um, it was a, it's called Sloan. Yeah, I think it was called Sloan. So, >> big event in Boston and MIT sponsors it. Um, and so, yeah, a lot of MIT students and whatnot, but then there's a lot of like, you know, freaking GMs there, presidents of whatever, blah blah blah. Um, all different backgrounds, not just NBA too, just NFL, baseball, even I think they had like a Netflix person in there and stuff like this. Um, yeah, and it's all just about data, bro. Just crunching data and how decisions are made based on that data, 'cause there's a lot of it. Yeah, there's a lot of data around. So, yeah, I spoke at, I spoke there as more of a, yeah, from a player's perspective. Um, and it was really cool, but like, it's also one of those things, it's kind of hard to kind of give what you really feel about it because it's a, it's a panel and there's, it's a time, there's like this running down clock over there. So, you can't say too much. Which is not like a podcast setting where you could just like, you know, you really explain stuff. But yeah, it was it was such a weird, um, >> it was weird thing in that sense because it's a very complicated thing, but you have to give like a somewhat like of a vague answer.

>> Yeah. >> Um, but either way, it was still cool. Um, because yeah, we don't see that side of it too much as players. We get the we get the finished product that's like dumbed down, you know what I mean? 'Cause like you don't need to know a lot of the information. You kind of need to know more about the actions that you need to take as a player. You don't need to know all the numbers, you know, I mean, in that sense. So, that was really interesting, um, from that standpoint talking with a lot of them about it. Yeah, it was really cool.

>> Was it unique for them to get a players perspective onto that panel?

>> I don't think they get too many players. The other person that was there was Shane Badier. Like, he played, he played, um, he played for a while. He did a really good job, had a good career, but he's always been a nerd. And so, but that always falls into the NBA season. So, it's really hard for players to actually be around unless you're from Boston maybe and it lines up. You could probably go to one. But I don't think they get players too often because of that reason. Yeah. So, mom ended up bringing pretty good 'cause I was I'm just I was injured, you know. I'm still injured now, but like I was able to go, which was a really, really good experience.

>> There's a whole another chapter of Steven Adams which I don't think many people know about. Um, so mycelium, worm farms, grass types, regenerative farming, all topics we've heard associated with you. 'Cause farming is another one of your passions. And if it wasn't for basketball, it might have been dairy farming. And you now own part of silia farming, roughly 500 dairy cows, kiwi fruit and avocado orchard right on the coast near Pocahena with an emphasis on regenerative practices. So what are you trying to build out there long term? And is it a business or something else?

>> Yeah, it's definitely a business. Um, and we we touched on the regenerative stuff. Um, again, we're trying to be like, you know, trying to just be a part of that community and just see what's out there, um, for it. And like we try and implement some of the systems. Like we've been playing around with different crops and like for just different paddics. So, we have like some, you know, just paddics that we play around with different things. Has been pretty cool, you know? I mean, doing all that stuff, but then when it comes down to the business side of it, like you have to hit like certain numbers and like, so we just run it as like a normal dairy operation. Um, and, you know, the girls are out there in the paddic. It's not like [ __ ] warehouse stuff, you know? They're out there in the paddic. They get to go frolic around and whatnot. Um, but a lot of it, uh, what helped out with the regenerative, um, regenerative piece was, uh, was Halter.

>> So, we have Halter on the farm and that joint is amazing, the Halter. So, it's a collar and you do virtual fencing and then you could press a, you know, kind of just press a button and then the girls end up coming to the, uh, coming to the shed. So, you don't have to go round them up. They just go to the shed, right? And it's really cool. Like I, I was, we had that, um, early on and yeah, met the bro, met the bro Craig and all that. Yeah, it was just, Oh, yeah. It was just freaking awesome, bro. Um, that whole joint. Um, but yeah, what's interesting about Halter too is that like, what we noticed with the girls is that they don't, uh, lose their social structure. Uh, 'cause there's like, you know, there's like the matriarchs of the crew. You know what I mean? And what we found is that like, a lot of the girls were actually, uh, still at the front of the herd, even though they have a collar, which is like a audio. You get an audio cue and then if they break the line, there's like a shock. But even with that, like, they they're still very like, you could, you know, they follow whatever, but then they still maintain that structure, which typically if you think that it's like doing any harm, like that would probably fail, but it didn't.

>> You know what I [clears throat] mean? So that was really cool 'cause that was reassuring for us 'cause like we want to take care of the girls. We're not trying to [ __ ] it. Like we're trying to like make sure that they're like comfortable, they feel good. So that was really cool. That was interesting to see. And yeah, Halter's doing a really good job before that. Um,

>> you light up when you talk about stuff.

>> The farming.

>> Farming. Yeah. Yeah.

>> It's cool, bro.

>> Is that your your happy place? Like back on the farm?

>> Yeah. Yeah. 'Cause it's like an unknown. Um, it's like you're constantly learning stuff and especially with farmers, bro. Like I have I have just a soft spot for farmers, you know what I mean? Just 'cause like [ __ ] man. Like it's so it's so hard. Like farming is just such a difficult thing, bro. You know, it really is. And there's so many like different factors that come in. Maybe it's a bad season and it was a great great market. You know what I mean? Like a great freaking price point, but you just didn't have the yields. Next year it could be flipped. Next year both could be down. Like it's just like damn. And then they still just like, you know, you just still got to crack on and just get through it, you know? Um, but yeah, it's one of these things where it's just like, I don't know, you feel more connected, more connected with things 'cause I look, I'm in the entertainment industry, so there's a part of it, a bit of this like fake stuff. It's just basketball, mate. You know what I mean? With a lot of freaking bells and whistles and whatnot. You know, farming, mate. You're actually like feeding people, you know? They're relying on you. So, it's a different sort of like, uh, what you're providing, if that makes sense. It seems more central. So yeah, that side of it is actually pretty hell yeah.

>> Have you got Have you got a like a day-to-day role? Well, even when you're when you're overseas.

>> No, no, no, no, no, mate. Yeah, farming is a full-time job. I'll be terrible. Like I'm not I wouldn't I wouldn't claim to be a farmer or anything. I'm not like I might mention like, "Yeah, bro, I'll be a farmer and blah blah blah." But like, my skills. No, no, no. I'm not the I'm not the farmer, mate. I'm a basketball player. Bougie,

>> but when you come home, do you get on the Do you get on the farm? You on the tools and the red bands?

>> Yeah. Yeah. Still still on there. I just I actually came from, uh, um, Leaf, you know, Leaf. So yeah, so it's old old down in Christ Church and then we were out there doing some filming and [ __ ] He had me on the combine on this like off of one of the products. I was just actually mowing down some alfalfa and just like freaking doing it up. It was freaking awesome, bro. It's really good fun. But any of that stuff, I think dudes like that stuff anyway. It's just like big toys.

>> Yeah. >> So [laughter] you go in there, bro, you're like [ __ ] it was a choice. Any any of the any of the girls supplying milk for me?

>> I think we do actually. We go straight to, uh, Fonta. I think Fonta's. No, they I think they have their separate one maybe. But yeah, so, um, Fonta, we signed with them.

>> Yeah. So yeah, it's a co-op. So we're a part of Fonta for that one.

>> You got lots of strings too, 'cause this you did a sort of a I saw you did a little press chunk with me a while back for their quick brekky, which you actually helped develop, right? Like you you actually >> is that right? You kind of were in there creating.

>> Yeah. Yeah. So, like a lot of the especially the food scientists, bro, that's cool, bro. The food scientists, [ __ ] man. They go pretty hard as well, man. Like, you know what I mean? They they got a pretty cool job. But like, yeah, they do like we do like flavor profiles and whatnot, like what do we think is like a good flavor and what what makes the most sense maybe like economically or whatever. Like, there's just been a lot of, um, back and forth about the product itself. Kind of like what we want to hit on and what's like cap, like, yeah, what is actually like viable to do. So yeah, very much a part of it and it's just been, yeah, it's been awesome to work with them. It's been [ __ ] great, bro. You know I mean, they've been supportive, not only of the camps but even just through a separate like individual one, like the quick breaky thing, like that's been like awesome to work with them. They've been very open, have really fun strategies, like we we work really well. Chemistry is good.

>> So what is it a percentage of sales goes back to reinvested in goes to pathways and so then again it goes back to the kids so then just reinvest into that so we can try and scale different things and whatnot. So

>> a lot of that stuff is just really, it's just, I don't know, everything everything seems to be tying together. That's our whole thing. We're not trying to just like, oh, this is our separate. It's like >> how do we still kind of go around this whole give back sort of thing. Yeah, that alignment is is

>> Yeah, the alignment is important again 'cause they come down to like the no [ __ ] policy.

>> Y >> and yeah, that's why Metafresh has been awesome. Like they've just been solid on all fronts, you know, especially with what we got going on, our values. They share the same. They see the vision and they've helped us. They helped us back in the day where it was like Goodman Fielder. Um, they helped us like at our community camps first and there was only recently for the quick brekie, but they were back in the day and they kind of seen like the potential. Especially the bro there, Ra, like yeah, he saw the potential and then he was pitching it to like the Meadow Fresh higher up, all good Fielder higher ups and whatnot, and then to the Meadow Fresh and it was just like, yeah, everyone played their part, man, and it was it was really, it's really just centered around those camps and whatnot, you know, that's kind of what just brought everything together for these opportunities.

>> I love it. Yeah.

>> All of the people we've spoke to talked about your intellectual curiosity. I'm interested what you read, what you listen to, what sort of, you know, do you listen to podcasts? Do you read books? And and who who are the authors you read?

>> Yeah. Oh, not too much reading, bro. Like, reading's like I I I'll force myself to read every now and then, but [ __ ] man. I'm useless at reading, eh? I've always been pretty tough. But like I do, I I'm more of like a listener. Like I like, um, talking with people, kind of debating. Um, and that's just how I learn. You know what I mean? Just going back and forth. Even if I don't really have a position, I'll just play devil's advocate.

>> Yeah. >> Just so 'cause then the more you start start like, you know, answering these, I'll understand it more.

>> And it's not like I have an opinion on it. Like I'm no expert. So I'm just trying to learn.

>> So it's great 'cause then whatever we come to finish that talk about, yeah, okay, that's my view.

>> That'll probably be my view from then on. So, but yeah, I just I just do like podcasts sometimes, like listen to stuff, but mainly just like talk in person with like just like different interesting people, which is cool. Yeah. I really try and take my time to just seek these people out and just like have a yarn >> and just really get to know them, what they got going on. People are interesting, man.

>> Yeah. >> Yeah.

>> One of the interesting people you spoke to was Tim Brown, who helped get you on board with Oakland FC as well. So, you part of that ownership group?

>> Yeah, with the, yeah. Yeah, with the AFC, I am. Yeah. And that was, yeah, that was because of Tim. And again, he came to me because like we had some, uh, we had a relationship before that while he was at a birds and we were crossing paths and whatnot. And again, he's another super interesting Kiwi and yeah, we just hit it off, bro. Yeah, hit it off and he got me involved with the Oakland one. So, that was mean.

>> Bringing it sort of, um, into current day. You signed a three-year extension at 32 after missing most of two seasons. What went through your head when that offer came through? Was it sort of relief or validation or something else? And tell us about current day at the rocket.

>> At the time of the signing, um, when we were going, when, yeah, that came through and it was done. I think it was just like a, um, it wasn't even like a relief or anything like that. I think it was just like one of these, like stepping stones, like a moment of just like, oh, you could kind of just like put your head up and kind of just like, oh, this has been really cool 'cause then I started reflecting on, um, again, a lot of the grueling days and like just the approach to the whole rehab itself. A lot of these ups and downs and mostly think about the downs and you know, you kind of just like have an appreciation for, um, the amount of teamwork that went into it, but then also just like how you respond personally. So I think it was just a lot of that self-reflection and yeah, appreciative of like that people still value you at that rate, like at that level, you know? So it was a lot of that. Um, yeah, actually after I signed, bro, I was in Wellington. I just went for a kayak [laughter] kayak, um, down in the freaking, what is it? The whatever that wharf thing is down there in Wellington and just freaking kayaking out and then like some of the dudes would like, bro, did you just sign out? And I was just, I was like, "Hey, bro." Yeah. Yeah. It was me. They're like, "What shop, bro?" [laughter] Just like that was a guy down to Oriental Bay or whatever.

>> Yeah. Just by yourself. [laughter]

>> How are those how are those interactions when you are back home? Are they pretty like low-key and casual like?

>> Yeah, bro. Everyone everyone typically like leaves me alone in in some sense or just like, you know, people just like, um, >> people just like hyped to see me. You know what I mean? They're just like, kind of proud, you know what I mean? Just like [ __ ] bro, like me like shop, bro, like you're doing New Zealand good and blah blah blah, and like, yeah, that stuff's always awesome, like, you know what I mean? Those are good interactions, they're appreciating. But like, some of them bros, like [ __ ] man, you you're not ready for them, and that's what sucks 'cause it's like, I don't know, I might be doing something, I might lose a chess game on my phone and [laughter] then someone's like, hey bro, I'm [snorts] like, huh? You know? But it's not to do with lost.

>> been put in check.

>> Yeah. [laughter] Person from France, you jam at me or something. I'm just like, "Bro, what?" And they're like, "Oh, shit." Like, "Oh, [ __ ] sorry, bro." "Yeah, what's up, bro?" Like, don't can't explain it. Like, "Oh, 'cause of chess game."

>> Do you play as yourself online? Do you [laughter]

>> you playing as yourself online? Like the real Steven Adams?

>> Oh, no. No. You were just >> Yeah. Yeah. I just re have some alias.

>> This has been such an effort. I want to bring us home to bring us on the home straight. How How do you think about the future? Will it be in New Zealand? You got the the contract with the Rockets, but are you the kind of guy that has a 5 year, 10 year plan? Like, have you got things you want to achieve after basketball?

>> Um, not necessarily after basketball. I mean, there's obviously like the family aspect, like want kids and stuff like that, big family. Um, though that's like the only one. Uh, I don't know when that is, like especially with the NBA season and whatnot. And that's I don't know if it's like in America or New Zealand, but u just because I don't know what the job will be like. I might get offered like, I don't know, say like, hey, can you help out with some team in a different like a management or coaching level or something like this? I don't know, but I just figured I'll cross that bridge when it comes.

>> But as of right now, yeah, just got three year, three year degree and then I'm just keeping my options open. So I got some obviously a lot of all my family's in New Zealand and whatnot, and that's where a lot of my, whatever, farm is and stuff like that, so I got a lot of ties back here. Yeah, but then yeah, there's a few in America as well. So, yeah, we'll see. Bro,

>> Sean Marks has cut a pretty cool path into G into GM. Is that something that may be in your future if if the opportunity presented itself?

>> I don't know. Uh, he's he's very smart. He's a very smart dude. Knows how to manage a very good people person. Like he's very skilled in those, um, in those areas and he's just like, yeah, he's got a great mind for basketball. Yeah, I'm I'm probably not there. Um, typically I'm more of like an execution guy and like he's probably more of like an overall strategy guy. So, whatever that means. I mean, I'm I just need to know like, oh, this is a strategy and then I'll try and like optimize it to make sure it like has a good chance of actually working, you know? But yeah, we'll see. We'll see.

>> I'm going to close. I'm actually going to read one of your quotes back to you 'cause it kind of links us back to the start. So, you said, "The ultimate dream is that some of the kids we've helped go through the system. They go on, they get a scholarship, they get a degree, and they come back to New Zealand and help in their own way. I just like to feel like at the end of my career, I helped a lot of players reach a different level that they may not have. Like I've impacted their game or their trajectory in a net positive way."

>> like that comes across loud and clear. Hey, that that's the real. I mean, it's all cool, but what you're giving back and and how you're helping the next generation come through.

>> Yeah. >> Exactly. Like you don't want to be like I would love to not be obviously like there'll be another player like me who comes around, you know what I mean? Like an NBA player, um, but the thing is just like, okay, that's just like a very low chance that that will happen 'cause we don't make many NBA players in New Zealand. Making the NBA is very difficult, you know what I mean? But a lot of it though, like if you, how I think of it is like, if you're dealing with like change, um, of basketball in New Zealand, it's like, yeah, you put them through the program, they go get all the experience in America, get all the knowledge, and they get their degree or whatever, and then they could come back and then they do the same. So then the overall, basically the overall basketball IQ, strategies, whatnot, have are being like held up around New Zealand, um, by these people who've been through the system. So then the overall like skill level of the basketball in New Zealand has gone up rather than just like, hey, Steven's great, cool, and then it gets nowhere, you know I mean? You want this, you want you want to have a lot of players constantly going through the system, taking advantage of his free degree, by the way, you know, especially now the kids are getting paid in college.

>> It's a pretty good career path, mate. Some of the numbers these kids are getting paid is ridiculous. So like, there's a full thing that they could take advantage of getting paid, paid, I don't know, not only a scholarship, accommodation, might get paid 100, 200, 300k, but up to a million if you're one of the higher better players. Like that's just in college, you know I mean? You can go through all that and then obviously come back and help New Zealand, help New Zealand basketball when you can, you know, whenever the time is right, you know, you give back whenever whenever you feel is, uh, necessary, but I think at the beginning of it, just to show them that you do have a duty to give back, then whenever that is, then it'll come to you know.

>> Steve, I know you got a flight to catch.

>> And there's a steak out there that you can [laughter] have before you leave. Um, but for I just want to say going back to the start, like, um, I don't think I've ever seen Chay so nervous. You could, uh, this had been for us a dream 'cause you've been a dream guest and it has gone better than I ever could have hoped. Like, thank you so much for coming in and sharing so much of your life and story and your time. We know how valuable your time is. Um, I've absolutely loved it and yeah, just really appreciate you coming and spending time with us.

>> Yeah, thank you guys. Thank you for having me, bro. I don't think you were nervous, bro. I thought you did.

>> No, I very much was. I very, very, very much was. It was I think what it is is you you want to do, you want to do a really good job.

>> You want to do a good job and we want to present all the amazing things as we've heard in a really positive light. So, >> um, I think you're doing amazing things in the community and I hope off the back of this there'll be more people that jump on board and and help you achieve the goals that you set out so they can help young New Zealanders achieve what they want to do and follow in the very big footsteps that you have too.

>> Yeah, I appreciate that, bro. Thank you guys. Appreciate it. [music]

>> There are people you never want to forget, but people get old. Memories fade. And then one day, [music] it's too late to ask the questions that matter most. That's why we created Reflections [music] to capture the magic before it slips away.

>> How did she like camping?

>> At Reflections, our award-winning interviewers sit down with your loved ones with time, care, and [music] curiosity, and capture their life story in their own words. The result is [music] a beautifully crafted family documentary your loved ones will treasure for generations. [music] One day you'll want to hear that laugh again. We make sure you always can. Reflections, [music] keeping family stories beautifully alive. Find us at reflections.life. [music]