In the 2016 NBA General Manager survey, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook and center Steven Adams were voted in the top five toughest players in the league. When asked who was tougher, the Thunder’s All-Star didn’t hesitate.
“Steven for sure,” Westbrook blurted immediately.
There’s plenty of evidence to back that belief up over the past three seasons, even though Westbrook is perhaps the NBA’s most daring, fearless players in the league. Adams endures elbows, shoves and all assortment of physical play in the paint.
Even in his first game back from a sprained ankle, however, Adams showed not only his grit, but the way he’s elevated his game over the past few seasons since he entered the league.