Sitting down for his first media requirements of the new NBA season, it took Kiwi star Steven Adams less than five seconds to get the press giggling with his usual charismatic self.
Asked how he was going as an icebreaker for the press conference, a deadpan Adams replied: "Yeah, above ground mate, above ground".
It set the tone for Adams' question time on Media Day - an annual event every NBA preseason that serves as the first chance for news outlets to get some insight from players and coaches about the upcoming season.
For Adams and Memphis, one of the key questions heading into the season is what can be expected of the Grizzlies after they turned heads last year with their 56-26 record to finish second in the Western Conference.
Their season ended in the second round against eventual champions Golden State but Adams said he and the team weren't looking back for confidence.
"The main take is that we probably shouldn't feel too good [looking back] because we had that goal and we fell short," he said.
"The biggest takeaway though is that everyone here now has experience in the playoffs - it's hard to explain the feeling and level of focus and discipline it takes to win those games.
"So it's good to have that experience, especially for such a young group."
Adams was more comical talking about his personal developments since last season.
"Worked on the old body mate and tried to get a six-pack - it's still non-existent," he said.
"I shot some threes, mate - everyone shoots threes in the summer."
'Just enjoyed the country bro'
Adams was also asked about his trip home to New Zealand during the offseason, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic limited his travel in recent years.
He didn't disappoint.
"I made it back and it was bloody awesome, bro," Adams said.
"I got to see my family, see all these other big people, see New Zealanders, my friends, went out and did a bit of fishing, just enjoyed the country bro and went out to the farm."
Adams was snapped all across Aotearoa during his visit, spending time with his sister Dame Valerie Adams, hanging out with Black Ferns at Bay of Plenty rugby union and being lauded for his "humble" attitude at Auckland Airport.
One picture that was a bit doctored though was from his fishing adventures, the centre revealed.
"[The fish] was big in the photo because I put it really close to the camera," he said.
"They were telling me to hold it up so it just grew as I moved it closer to the camera."
SHARE ME