When New Orleans Pelicans center Steven Adams was taking part in opening tipoff against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Thursday, he experienced a brief moment of shock.
Why was he staring at the team in blue in front of him? Why was tipping it to the guys in red? Is that right?
“It kind of messed me up a little bit when I tipped the ball because I’m so used to seeing the OKC colors, and just like, I don’t know, something in brain switched and I was like “Ah (expletive), that’s right, I’m playing for New Orleans,” he said in the postgame on-court interview with FOX Sports.
Never change Steven Adams 😂 #Thunder pic.twitter.com/FPqm08haGl
— Nate Feken (@TheGreat_Nate) January 1, 2021
That confusion didn’t seem to arise during any other point in the game. Adams finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds in his first game back against his old team, helping the Pelicans win 113-80.
He was in a different uniform, but his performance in both the game and the interview afterward was completely on-par with the Adams who Oklahoma city came to know and love over his seven years with the organization.
When asked what was going through his head and heart, he struggled to keep a straight face during his answer.
“Looking at all the fans that showed up.”
Fingers crossed that next time he comes to Chesapeake Energy Arena, fans can come as well. That piped crowd noise wasn’t quite the same for anyone.
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