The ascent of Steven Funaki Adams has been quick and quirky.
Quick in the sense that he had only been receiving serious basketball tuition from the age of 14, had one season of college basketball for the Pittsburgh Panthers, and entered the NBA scene only last year.
It has been quirky in that as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder this year, he managed to gain a reputation among his opponents as an agitator while winning the hearts of his team-mates with his infectious sense of humour and laid-back attitude off the court.
His childhood story is also one that American and Kiwi audiences love.
His story is an intriguing one due to the combination of inheriting great genetics, having a prolific breeder as a father, coming from an marginalised community, having a famous sporting sister, and being plucked from the sulphur-infused streets of Rotorua to perform in the glamorous NBA arena.
It is a rags-to-riches story, a tale of overcoming obstacles, and a romantic portrayal of how sport can ''save'' anyone.
It is proof that a lanky, slightly wayward lad from the land of the long white cloud can make it in the land of opportunity where dreams come true.
Like Lydia Ko, he has put New Zealand on the global sporting map, and there is nothing we love more than being acknowledged by ''Kiwi'' athletes doing well abroad.
When they seem to turn their back on New Zealand, however, we are devastated and put out.
The definite and offhanded ''no'' response from Adams to the question ''will you be playing for New Zealand at the World Cup in Spain?'' struck his New Zealand followers a harsh blow.
Did New Zealand mean nothing to him?
Were we mistaken in thinking he was one of us?
Considering the Thunder had just bowed out of the Western Conference finals and lost to San Antonio, his grumpiness and curt response were understandable.
That is what people seem to love about Adams. He wears his heart on his sleeve and seems raw and unpretentious.
But when that rawness seemed to offhandedly dismiss his New Zealand connection, New Zealand felt rejected.
Luckily the PR machine surrounding Adams kicked into gear and a more considered reason for him not playing for the Tall Blacks in August and September was given.
Adams, the Thunder from Down Under who is on a multimillion-dollar contract in his rookie year, has to hang around for the post-rookie season.
It is a policy the general manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder adopts for all rookies, and from Sam Presti's perspective it is the best thing to do for the team and, potentially, for Adams.
It may be what is necessary to transform him from an NBA grafter to an NBA superstar. In his own words, which tend to combine Kiwi and Americanisms, ''I did all I can, man'' when it came to being released to play for the Tall Blacks.
He has also emphasised he does have a desire to play for New Zealand and the option may be ruled out for 2014 but not forever.
With these short but sweet statements Steven Adams has put our minds to rest. He has not emancipated himself from New Zealand yet.
He is not denying his cultural heritage.
Strategically it is best for Adams at this point in his career to do as he is told and not to rock the boat too much.
Most New Zealanders can understand that.
And Adams also gets that he cannot be seen to reject New Zealand just yet.
He seems like the kind of guy who is unaffected by the NBA hype (for now).
His naivety, freshness, and genuine reactions have captured the hearts of his peers and fans in both hemispheres.
Perhaps when he is an NBA superstar, his following Down Under will not be so important, his ties to this corner of the world will weaken, and his personality will feel more manufactured.
For now, we can enjoy the fairytale and ponder the day when Adams dons a black uniform and does a gawky version of the haka that only vertically gifted individuals seem to do.
