ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne believed the Miami Heat would need to build around Bam Adebayo to stand a chance of contending for the NBA title next season. Her thoughts come amid the big’s solid Olympics run with Team USA. He had a field day in the team’s 103-86 win over South Sudan with a game-high 18 points, coupled with seven rebounds.
As he continues to be a vital cog in Steve Kerr’s plans for the USA to win gold, the discussion on NBA on ESPN was about his impact on the Heat. Shelburne added that it was time for Miami to hand over the reins to Adebayo.
“I think they need to give the keys to Bam Adebayo. It’s been coming for a few years. They’ve been built around Jimmy Butler, but Jimmy Butler has not been available. Some of that is injuries, some of that is how he manages his injuries in the regular season and that’s how he approaches the regular season. But the Heat were 21st on offense last year, Bam is capable of giving them more scoring. When he gets going he can hit the three-ball, hit the midrange.”
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Adebayo averaged 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks this past season as the Miami Heat made the playoffs. He averaged 22.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in the five games in the postseason where Butler missed all of the team’s five games with an MCL tear.
The Heat have had a relatively quiet free agency this summer. The front office has been wary of crossing the $188.9 million second apron because of punitive ramifications. But with Jimmy Butler now hitting 34, Miami will need to look to the future, and Bam Adebayo can be the centerpiece according to Shelburne.
“Not my fault I’m versatile”: Bam Adebayo still upset with DPOY snub
Earlier, Bam Adebayo addressed the Defensive Player of the Year snub. The honors went to Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert, and the Heat center minced no words when he spoke about him being passed for the award.
“I have to do all this and average 20, 10 and 5. That’s one thing that irks me, it’s not my fault I’m versatile. I’ve been top five in DPOY voting the last five years, there’s been guys y’all (media) been giving it to over me.”
Adebayo was one of the names pegged to win DPOY this past season. The 3x NBA All-Star is yet to win his maiden DPOY and a championship. Now, he has a chance to carry over his form to the next season and have a chance to win one or both of the honored.
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