Steven Adams has come to defence of Russell Westbrook following the Oklahoma City Thunder's first round exit in the 2018 NBA playoffs.
The Thunder were knocked out by the Utah Jazz after going down 96-91 in game six of the best of seven series.
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Despite scoring 46 points in the defeat, and 45 in their game five comeback win, Westbrook was on the receiving end of a lot of criticism for his wild shooting.
He broke the record for the most three-pointers attempted in a playoff game with 19, and is only player other than Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson to have more than 40 attempts from the field in a post-season game.
Adams has defended Westbrook's style of play, and doesn't buy the media notion that he's tough to play with.
"No, because we've been having success - ever since he's been with the Thunder organisation we've been having success," he told reporters.
"Obviously everyone has their own [idea] - they draw the line at different where a team should be, expectations, everyone has different expectations what that team should do, all that stuff.
"As a player, playing with him, it's not difficult at all, it really isn't - he just has very high standards and you have to meet them, and that's what ultimately makes you successful as a team. "
After signing Paul George and Carmelo Anthony in the off-season, the Thunder were expected to get past the first-round, setting up a potential match-up with the Houston Rockets.
Adams believes the acquisitions have been well received by Westbrook and it shouldn't come as a shock.
"You can give him credit for it, it's expected of him, I don't think it's any surprise to anyone, is it? I wouldn't think so," he said.
"It's something that you do as a professional athlete; you've got to this point by making a bunch of adaptations anyway, or whoever you played for so it would be weird if you can't, that would be more weird than him actually make it an adaptation. "
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Anthony or George's future with the Thunder, Adams is confident they can cope with whatever outcome and that they're on the right track going forward.
"It's challenging every year. You face different problems every year with any team," he said.
"Even if you've been with that team, you're just familiar with the team, but you still have different problems to be fixed.
"I can't point out any specific ones, but I know that we didn't go back - we always progress through the year. That's always a good sign."
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