Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams has received glowing praise from two of his new teammates at New Orleans Pelicans.
Last month, Adams' seven-year tenure at Oklahoma City Thunder came to an end, when he was traded to the 'Big Easy' as part of a four-team deal.
Under new coach Stan Van Gundy, Adams will be a veteran on a roster littered with young talent, including last year's No.1 draft pick Zion Williamson, along with Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, both 23.
Centre Adams has just over a month to settle into his new surroundings, before beginning the 2020/21 campaign against last season’s beaten finalists, Miami Heat, on December 26 (NZ time).
Although he hasn't been with his new team for long, he's already having a big impact inside the locker room, with Ball and Ingram looking forward to working with the big centre.
"It's a perfect fit," says Ball. "He's probably the strongest guy in the league.
"Everyone knows he is big and how strong he is, so I can't wait to start playing with him."
Ingram also touched on Adams' toughness, when discussing the Pelicans' off-season additions, which also include 2019 NBA All-Defensive First Team guard Eric Bledsloe.
"The two things I like [most are] the professionalism and the energy they both bring to the game," says Ingram. "They both have a toughness about them.
"Adams is just solid. He's going to get rebounds and set hard screens, and do everything you ask of him.
"I'm excited about those two guys."
Last year, Ingram was picked as an NBA All-Star and was named the league's most improved player.
Earlier this week, Adams said being traded was part of being a professional athlete in 2020.
"It's all a part of the business, getting traded," he says. "The difficult part is the relationships that you build within a team and then you have to move on, but it's not like I've died or anything.
“I'm going to see them again, so that's fine. It ain't that sad."
