Steven Adams talks “Aqua Mane” nickname, Peabody ducks and Tinder in exit interview

Few players in the NBA give better interviews than Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams. The veteran big man mixes humor, honesty, and thoughtfulness that almost always results in a viral clip any time he’s on camera.

His post-season exit interview with the media was no exception, as the New Zealand native touched on several topics, including his thoughts on the nickname Grizzlies faithful have given to him and his thoughts on potentially serving as a Duckmaster at the Peabody Hotel during the offseason.

Memphis Grizzlies star Steven Adams gives fun post-season exit interview

Adams, who finished the season leading the league in offensive rebounds per game, played a crucial role in his first season with Memphis.

From the jump, fans largely embraced Adams and his colorful personality, despite some years-old resentment when he and Zach Randolph got into it during a playoff game when Adams was with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

These fans took to the yeoman’s work done by Adams to reinvent his game after a down season in New Orleans— he protected the paint, created second-chance points, and even unlocked his passing game.

His longtime nickname of “Aquaman” needed a refresh, and Memphis Grizzlies fans decided to give it a remix, coming up with “Aqua Mane” after a clip of him dancing in the team tunnel before a game went viral.

Adams was asked about the nickname in his post-season interview, which he relished.

“Apparently they call me Aqua Mane now, which is sick,” Adams said. “That’s sick.”

A reporter also asked Adams if he has had a chance to go see the ducks at the Peabody Hotel during his first season in Memphis—a local attraction that’s been around for nearly 100 years.

“Are these the little marching guys at the hotel,” Adams asked for clarification while walking his index and middle finger across the table.

“No, haven’t done it yet. I mean, I guess I gotta go see it,” he said before pausing and wondering out loud if maybe he’s a bit too old to watch ceremonial ducks waddle across a hotel lobby.

“Do young people do that,” Steven Adams asked the reporter with a lighthearted laugh.

When the reporter acknowledged it’s a family-friendly activity, he clarified to make sure he wouldn’t stand out in the crowd if he stopped by to take it in one day, you know, because of his age—not because he’s nearly seven-feet tall.

“But, is it like grandpa and like really young kids? Because I’m like in-between,” Adams said laughing. “I don’t want to be the lame guy like, ‘What’s this lame dude doing, bro? Like, get outta here, this is for Boomers, bro,'” he said laughing.

The reporter followed up and told him he could actually envision Adams serving as a ceremonial Duckmaster at the hotel. This is the person who leads the ducks from their holding area to the fountain in the lobby of the old hotel.

Adams perked up at the idea.

“I could be a Duckmaster? Is that a real thing? I thought you were bloody bullsh****** me,” Adams exclaimed.

“You can be a Duckmaster,” Adams said again, clearly loving the thought of a seven-foot Kiwi parading some ducks through a hotel lobby to an unsuspecting crowd of on-lookers.

“Put that on the Tinder profile there, eh mate? Duckmaster, mate. Everybody’ll be swiping right on that, mate,” Adams said still laughing.

“F***,” Adams said under his breath. “Duckmaster! Wow— sexy stuff, huh?”

Here’s to hoping that Steven Adams is back next season. Not only is he a key component to what the team does on the floor, he makes for some great sound bites throughout the season.