When the Olympic roster was solidified, Team USA’s Bam Adebayo was projected to be the third center behind Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis. Following Team USA’s first three exhibition wins, there is good reason why Adebayo’s roster spot should be in question. Adebayo’s stellar exhibition play is causing all kinds of roster and lineup conversations between him Embiid, and Davis.
Team USA’s Bam Adebayo: A Starter Role Alongside Anthony Davis?
Adebayo Is Playing Lights Out
Adebayo has played nothing short of excellent in wins against Canada, Australia, and, Serbia. Coach Steve Kerr has stuck with pairing Adebayo and Davis coming off the bench. The two All-Star centers have dominated the defensive and offensive sides of the court together. Rumblings have begun to emerge among NBA analysts and media pundits on whether current starting center Joel Embiid should lose his spot, making way for Davis or Adebayo.
Embiid Struggling While Bam and AD Dominate
At the time, there was really no argument when Joel Embiid was named the number one center before Team USA played their first exhibition game, which resulted in an 86-72 win against their northern next-door neighbors. Since then, in the USA’s subsequent two games, Embiid has continued to start but has struggled to make an impact. It’s fair to question if his NBA game can translate to FIBA Basketball’s pace and rules. On the other hand, where Embiid has struggled, both Adebayo and Davis have thrived so far.
Team USA’s Matchup Solutions
Davis has played spectacularly, especially against Nikola Jokic’s Serbian team, where he ushered back-to-back blocks on his fellow big man in less than a minute. Davis is averaging 11.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks—an insane stat line. Adebayo is right there with Davis, averaging 11 points and 5.7 rebounds. He contributed 17 points, including three 3-pointers against Serbia. Matchup-wise, the duo has simply played better than Embiid.
Throughout these exhibition showcases thus far, Adebayo has played well under the rules and at a pace different from the NBA’s. In the game against Serbia, it was clear that Adebayo and Davis were a far better matchup for Team USA against Jokic. Steve Kerr has stayed with the Adebayo and Davis pairing only because the two have been so good and dominant together. Their defensive stands against Jokic were outstanding. That may be reason enough to keep them coming off the bench instead of upgrading them to a starter spot.
The Case For Bam To Start
One element of Bam’s game displayed in these exhibition games is his three-point shooting. Adebayo has taken steps to increase his attempts and make good on them. Adebayo began shooting threes more often down the stretch of Miami’s regular season. This course of action was much to the encouragement of his coach, Erik Spoelstra. Against Serbia, he went 3 of 5 from three-point range.
Nevertheless, Adebayo has proven he belongs in the starter’s conversation, even though Embiid and Davis are considered the better players in the NBA. Adebayo’s speed has translated to the Olympic-style pace needed to keep up with Team USA’s European counterparts. Speed, mind you, is just outside Embiid’s bag.
Coach Kerr Has Good Reason To Keep Bam And Davis Together
Whatever Adebayo’s case for starting is, coach Kerr might have something even better in store for Bam. Alongside Davis, coming off the bench may very well prove to be a massive winning attribute for Team USA when they begin their gold medal bid against Serbia on July 28th.
Adebayo and Davis play their way into a starter’s role conversation. Could we see a starting five consisting of Steph Curry, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, and any of Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant (when healthy), Devin Booker, or Anthony Edwards? Who’s to say at the moment? Switching Embiid for Adebayo and or Davis is a rotation that Kerr must try, regardless.
One thing is for sure: the Miami Heat have much to applaud and praise. Given what Adebayo has done so far in Team USA’s showcase games, his impact is not lost on his teammates and coaches.
