Kendrick Perkins finally won’t be the Thunder’s starting center
Second-year man Steven Adams has won the starting center job in Oklahoma City after a strong preseason showing.
USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma City Thunder big man Steven Adams has won the starting center job over Kendrick Perkins:
It's official: Steven Adams has won the Thunder's starting center job.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 28, 2014 Perkins didn't play in the preseason due to a quad injury, but he practiced last week and is expected to be ready to go for the season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
With Perkins sidelined, Adams took advantage of the opportunity and earned himself the starting job, a fact he learned at the same time as everybody else:
Asked Steven Adams when he learned he'd be starting center. Adams: "When'd I learn? You just told me."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 28, 2014 The big man averaged 12.7 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting 68.4 percent during the Thunder’s exhibition slate.
This will be the first time Perkins ever comes off the bench since coming to Oklahoma City during the 2010-11 season. That includes the postseason, and Thunder head coach Scott Brooks came under plenty of criticism for failing to make a change despite Perkins' ineffectiveness.
Adams, the No. 12 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, played in 81 games last season and showed promise as a physical rim protector. Adams started 20 games during the regular season when Perkins missed time, and the 21-year-old also enjoyed some effective stretches in the postseason.
Adams will have to step up with a host of his teammates dealing with injuries, including Kevin Durant, Reggie Jackson, Anthony Morrow, Jeremy Lamb, Mitch McGary and Grant Jerrett.
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