Kiwi Steven Adams' reputation for superhuman strength has been well documented through his seven-year NBA tenure to date.
The centre’s granite-like screens, rebounding in traffic, and propensity to stick up for his teammates have earned him notoriety as an oncourt enforcer to the extent that he's been voted the league's toughest player by his peers the past three years straight.
And Adams has already made his presence felt with his new team - New Orleans Pelicans - leaving second-year sensation Zion Williamson in awe of his power.
"Steven is strong," Williamson says, with a grin.
The superstar sophomore is also considered one of the NBA's strongest, but even he was taken aback by the Kiwi's grunt.
"I thought I was strong, but seeing it up close - on the same team now - man, it's crazy."
Last month, Oklahoma City Thunder - where he was drafted back in 2013 - moved the 27-year-old to the Pelicans as part of a multi-team trade.
Adams' combination with Williamson, whose hugely anticipated rookie season was cut short by injury, will be key to the franchise's chances of returning to the playoffs in the NBA's ultra-competitive Western Conference.
The Rotorua product will be the starting centre for the Pelicans, when their 2020/21 NBA campaign begins against Miami Heat on December 16 (NZ time).
