Adams plays down magical dunk shot

May 30, 2016 - 8:58 PM It was an extraordinary play in one of the great NBA Playoff games, but Steven Adams has not bothered to watch it.

Midway through the second quarter of Saturday's Western Conference Finals game six thriller between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors, Adams, the 213cm tall New Zealander, took flight.

He launched off his right foot, the ball was held high in his right hand and despite the Warriors' power forward Draymond Green in the way, Adams launched to the basket for an explosive one-handed dunk.

"No," Adams, the Thunder's 22-year-old centre, replied on Monday (Tuesday AEST) when asked if he had watched a replay of the dunk that set Twitter alight.

"There's no point.

"We lost the game."

If the Thunder won on Saturday in Oklahoma City they would have eliminated the defending NBA champion Warriors and moved on to the Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But, the Thunder gave up a big lead in the final minutes, lost 108-101 and on Monday (Tuesday 11am AEST) face the ominous prospect of having to win the decisive game seven at the Warriors' Oracle Arena for that title shot against the Cavaliers.

Adams said he is purely focused on beating the Warriors, not watching video clips of himself.

"We are not depressed or sad or anything," Adams, describing the team's mentality after losing game six, said.

"We are just ready for the game and excited by the opportunity."

In a sport where most players give quick, monotone, cliched answers at press conferences, Adams has become a favourite of US sports reporters.

They have fallen for his wit, humour, innocence and Kiwi back story.

Adams is the youngest of a family of 18 giant brothers and sisters.

His brothers have an average height of 206cm and sisters, including two-time Olympic gold medal-winning shot-putter Valerie Adams, stand around 183cm.

Money was tight growing up, but Adams' appetite meant he would eat six meat pies for a snack after school.

His performances in the playoffs, particularly outplaying the Warriors' veteran Australian centre Andrew Bogut, have earned him the title of one of the best young centres in the NBA.

Appetite, just like those six meat pie snacks as a teenager, still drives Adams.

Asked about the formidable prospect of going into the hostile Oracle Arena seeking a win to keep their season alive, Adams admitted he would prefer to be playing back in Oklahoma City.

"I like it at home because of the food there," Adams, drawing laughter from the US reporters around him, said.

Source: AAP