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AP
Steven Adams feels loyal to Russell Westbrook and the OKC Thunder, more than the Tall Blacks.
Steven Adams said he "did not feel a great sense of loyalty" to Basketball New Zealand because it remains uncapped at the international level.
The center of Oklahoma City Thunder has long been the subject of speculation about why it does not have In his new book, My Life, My Fight Adams reveals his problems with age group teams and the national organization in its early days has a lot to do with his absence. at an international level.
"It probably does not help me that I do not feel a great sense of loyalty to Basketball New Zealand," said Adams
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"I like what the current coach of the Tall Blacks, Paul Henare, did with the team and I would love to play for him at some point, but I have to be ready. "
Adams said that he does not think that" I'm not going to be there. " he could give his all "The Tall Blacks and play a full season of NBA."
"Some might expect me to be the New Zealand basketball poster, but I did the opposite of getting into the ranks of the junior national teams." Adams was spotted in 2010 at a Tall Blacks junior camp, one that he did not have to pay, when coach Kenny McFadden invited coach Jamie from the University of Pittsburgh. [19659012] Although this camp helped Adams prepare for his future in the game, he could never play for the team.
"I was obviously pretty good – a national MVP should be able to do the junior national. "
" Representing New Zealand as a young athlete costs a lot of money, not just in basketball, but in all sports. "[19659014"Tobeselectedforanationalteamtoplayinaninternationaltournamentwouldcosteachplayerthousandsofdollars"
"I knew The players who traveled each trip at least once a year, because their parents could easily pay for each tournament.
"But there were a lot of players, most of them brown, some of them the best in the country," I have never represented New Zealand because they could not to allow oneself to pass judgment. "19659006" I hate to think of how many guys we could have had a basketball career with if we gave them more help. (as I was) when they were younger. "
Adams said that every time he returned to New Zealand, the questions of the Tall Blacks began, and his answer has always been the same.
" Today, no. One day, yes.
"In most sports, representing New Zealand in a black undershirt is the top … but there are some sports … where playing abroad is the ultimate goal.
For basketball, this summit is the NBA, and Adams is fully focused on doing his best in this league.
The Tall Blacks will come, but it's not a priority.
* Steven Adams, My Life, My Fight is published by Penguin and is available for $ 39.99 in all bookstores.
– Stuff
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