Steven Adams is deep into his first season with the Memphis Grizzlies and there are still new things to experience. Like the many different accents in the state of Tennessee.
Adams, a New Zealand native, showed a childlike wonder hearing a new one on Saturday night after the Grizzlies' 116-110 win against the Chicago Bulls. Second into the question about growth, Adams began to smirk and couldn't help but interrupt the inquiry for an important one of his own.
"That's a sick accent, bro"
Steven Adams loved this reporter's Tennessee accent ? pic.twitter.com/MVl0kMjkN3
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 27, 2022
"Where are you from, bro?" Adams asked.
"Oh. I'm from Tennessee," the writer said.
"That's a sick accent, bro," Adams said, all smiles and excitement. "I haven't heard that before. That's awesome, dude That's sick."
The reporter thanked him and went on with the question.
The clip was shared widely with people tagging their friends and one noting, "I didn't even hear an accent" with a laughing emoji. The writer, Shawn Coleman, also had fun with it and appreciated the love.
Good Morning! ?
I very much appreciate all the kind words and love. That was a great experience. Steven Adams is wonderful, and deserves a lifetime contract.
Have a great day.
— Shawn Coleman (@StatsSAC) February 27, 2022
Though many questioned how Adams, a ninth-year NBA veteran, could be just now hearing a Southern accent, there are many different regional accents and dialects involved. In the state of Tennessee, a big differentiator is the pronunciation of the "R" sound.
East Tennessee speech is rhotic, meaning people emphasize the hard "R" in words. Dr. Sam Overstreet, professor of English at Maryville College, told WVLT in 2017 that's because the earliest settlers were Northern England and Northern Ireland.
The International Dialects of English Archive includes an entire page on Tennessee and allows visitors to hear different dialects with details on their native area, age and gender.
Adams, 28, attended Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts, a state with its own distinct dialect and accent, before going No. 12 overall in the 2013 draft to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After seven seasons there he joined the New Orleans Pelicans for 2020-21 and now the Grizzlies. There may be more endearing moments from Adams to come and if this one is any indication, fans will love it.
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