
How Steven Adams Accidentally Became The NBA's Most Beloved Star (Exclusive)
From Between Two Beers Podcast by Steven Holloway & Seamus Marten
May 3, 2026 · 2h 13m · Episode 258
About this episode
Steven Adams shares his personal journey from a challenging childhood in New Zealand to becoming a beloved NBA star.
In the most personal interview of his career, New Zealand's most beloved NBA export Steven Adams sits down with Between Two Beers exclusively to tell his full story. From growing up the youngest of 14 in Rotorua, losing his father at 13, and never dreaming of the NBA - to rookie years alongside Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden at the Oklahoma City Thunder, the infamous Draymond Green kicks in the 2016 Golden State Warriors playoffs, and signing a new Houston Rockets contract at 32 after a serious PCL injury, this is the complete Steven Adams story. Steven opens up about going viral for sleeping on an air mattress despite earning millions, training with Dame Valerie Adams, speaking at MIT's Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, owning a regenerative dairy farm near Pukahina, investing in Auckland FC, and a six-year journalling practice that got him through his darkest moments. Plus - 24 free basketball camps across New Zealand for 10,000 kids, and why giving back is the only thing that truly matters to him. Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
People in this episode
Hosts: Steven Holloway, Seamus Marten
Guest: Steven Adams
Topics covered
- personal story
- NBA career
- giving back
- mental health
- sports analytics
- youth development
Keywords
- Steven Adams
- NBA
- Rotorua
- basketball camps
- mental health
- sports
- youth programs
- PCL injury
- regenerative farming
Sponsors
Barkers Clothing
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Houston Rockets, MIT, Auckland FC
Places: Rotorua, Pukahina, New Zealand
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