Fansided

10 NBA personalities suffering from Middle Child Syndrome

By Jeremy Lambert

BOSTON, MA - MAY 25: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers are seen after the game in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 25: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers are seen after the game in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 23: Steven Adams
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 23: Steven Adams /

3. Andre Roberson and Steven Adams

Andre Roberson has always been in the middle of two superstars. For the first couple of years it was Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Last year, it was just Westbrook. Yes, Westbrook counted as two superstars last year and no one can tell me different. This year, it’ll be Westbrook and Paul George.

Because Roberson is the third wheel in the guard-wing position, his contributions are often overlooked. People want to make fun of him for his free throw shooting or his 3-point shooting or his tipping, but what they fail to see is that he’s an important piece to a playoff team.

Without Roberson, Oklahoma City’s defense would be roughly five times worse. He guards the best player on the other team and has to make up for Westbrook’s defensive laziness. He’s one of the best one-on-one defenders in the league yet is ignored for the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Tony Allen.

On offense, like a true middle child, opponents ignore him. This allows him to get easy buckets at the basket on designed cuts and lobs. This season, those points will come even easier as teams now have to worry about George along with Westbrook.

Steven Adams is included because he’s one of 18 siblings. He’s the youngest, but also the tallest. That makes him a middle child. Don’t question me.

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