New Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia shared a hilarious story about his former teammate Steven Adams, giving fans a glimpse into the big man’s legendary personality and unique habits. Appearing on The Young Man and the Three podcast, LaRavia described StevenAdams as one of the most intense and unusual figures he’s ever played with.
“I mean, the dude is just like an animal. He would walk around the facility barefoot with steaks in his hand. He only eats meat, steak in both hands, eating both. But yeah, that dude’s one of the strongest guys I’ve ever been around. Just like brute strength. It’s crazy.”
The two played together for two seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies from 2022 to 2024, during which time Adams’ legend as the NBA’s resident strongman continued to grow. Known for his old-school toughness and no-nonsense demeanor, Adams was often described by teammates as being built for another era, a player who could have thrived in the rough-and-tumble days of the 1980s.
LaRavia’s story fits perfectly with the image fans already have of Adams: the 6-foot-11 New Zealander who treats pain, diet, and discipline with a near-mythical simplicity.
Even Adams’ current teammate, Fred VanVleet, once famously called Adams “a caveman of the modern NBA,” a description that feels increasingly accurate with every story that surfaces.
Adams’ toughness has been well-documented throughout his career from playing through pain to setting screens that feel like running into a wall. Former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates once said Adams never felt soreness and refused ice baths because his body just didn’t need them.
But what stands out most about LaRavia’s story is how Adams blended his primal habits with genuine leadership. For all his quirks the barefoot walks, the steak meals, the quiet intensity Adams was universally respected in every locker room he entered.
As LaRavia begins a new chapter with the Lakers, stories like these remind fans that not every NBA legend is built on highlight reels, some are built on pure, old-fashioned grit. And in that sense, Steven Adams might be the last of a dying breed: a player equal parts beast, mentor, and myth.
