NBA: The league’s 2017-18 all do your job team

CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 13: Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets watches as Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after a call during their game at Spectrum Center on January 13, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

C-Steven Adams

Like Middleton, Adams may be a little too good for this list, but let’s give him some praise. Oklahoma City has been up and down this season, but Adams has been constant. Adams does the dirty work and is one of the meanest screeners in the game.

Seriously, he is ridiculously strong. This year he is having a career season. Adams is averaging 13 points and eight rebounds per game on 63 percent shooting. That had led to a PER of 21.55, a career-high true shooting percentage and a career low turnover ratio.

When Adams is on the floor, the Thunder are one of the best teams in the league, without him not so much. How far they go in the playoffs will depend on Adams more than people think.