Martin Devlin: Reason for Steven Adams' Tall Blacks snub doesn't ring true

No one is allowed to criticise Steven Adams. No one is allowed to question Steven Adams.

He is incredibly popular and amazingly successful. The best basketball player New Zealand's ever produced. Just a fantastic success story. And a guy who just won't play for his country.

And this is where it gets confusing. Because Steven Adams refuses to say publicly why not.

And I believe that the Tall Blacks themselves and all us New Zealand basketball fans at least deserve an answer. Don't we?

And I don't mean this half-baked convoluted complicated load of tripe detailed in his ghost-written book "My Life My Fight" where it apparently is all New Zealand Basketball's fault from years ago for failing to fully support him financially years ago when selected for age group camps and teams.

Really?

A guy that's got a US140m contract is still so bitter and twisted about something involving a few grand that happened 8-9 years ago. Involving a whole lot of people who no longer even work for BBNZ?

And let's not forget that basketball in New Zealand has always been cash-strapped.

Like many sports here it's parents not the institution that pay for their kids to attend camps & go on overseas tours – even when they're representing their country.

None of this bears scrutiny, none of it rings true.

Not for a guy whose whole image is laid-back, chill-dude, heh bro, Kiwi guy. It just doesn't fit.

Heh if you don't want to play for your country just say it. Why won't he? So frustrating.
New Zealand basketball fans have waited a lifetime to finally get out own LeBron.

And he still won't tell us why he won't put a black singlet on.