A Very Layman's Guide To Why Everyone Will Be Watching Basketball Tomorrow

There’s no doubt the NBA has successfully boomed amongst young men and women over the past ten years across New Zealand. “LeBron” isn’t just a name - he’s a multi-million dollar business, a brand unto himself…oh he plays for The Cleveland Cavaliers, he’s really good.

And tomorrow we have one of our own leading the charge, in one of the biggest games of the year, an NBA final. Rotorua born Steven Adams takes centre stage for the Oklahoma City Thunder (feel free to say that with an American accent) against the Golden State Warriors, who are from San Francisco.

The game is the final, a best of seven series, of all the teams in the Western Conference. The winner will play a championship series against the winner of the Eastern Conference. I think I have all that right. Yes, it’s confusing – but what sports aren’t these days? #sportlovesaconference

Not many Kiwis have made it to the NBA and certainly not this far, with one exception - Sean Marks (a Kiwi, that’s all I know).  So whether you’re a fully paid up merchandised member of one of these teams, or, like a lot of us, who cares what sport? As long as a New Zealander is starring, then tomorrow is a big day.

For a tall skinny kid to make it from Rotorua (an interesting life path) via Wellintgton to the top of the NBA is an amazing feat. Talking of feet, last year The Hits Polly and Grant tried to persuade Steven to consider a rugby career. They even found him footy boots - guess the size?

Size 17! Yes, he’s big.  Looks like his career will be too.

From all of us at The Hits… Go Thunder. We will of course be keeping you across the score via Facebook and our announcers on air from 1pm.