Miami Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo is entering his eighth NBA season at center. After recently winning Olympic gold with Team USA, onlookers probably saw something new in his game. In light of Adebayo’s growth and evolution since entering the league, his head coach has certainly taken notice. However, Erik Spoelstra is not alone. Another head coach has also noticed Adebayo’s growth. During their respective media sessions this week, the two future Hall of Fame coaches were asked about the subject.
Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo’s Evolution As a Player Has not Gone Unnoticed
Erik Spoelstra Keys in On Bam Adebayo’s Growth
If there was one element of Adebayo’s game we witnessed during Team USA’s Olympic run this summer, it was his willingness to take more three-pointers and look for his shot. The three-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive Team player is already a dominant force on both ends of the floor. However, adding the three-point shot to his basketball repertoire had become a focus of his this summer. In fact, going back to last season’s final weeks, we saw him up his three-point attempts. Going into the new NBA campaign, Adebayo seems fully committed to making the three a real-time, real-game weapon.
Following Miami’s preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs earlier this week, reporters asked Spoelstra what he has noticed in Bam’s evolution as an offensive player.
“…yeah, it was all of it, the facilitating, you know, being able to draw fouls, you know that’s so key. Finding those in the gap plays, cutting behind the defense, going into an open space, yeah, those are big places, momentum shifting plays. Playing off the ball a little bit, running screens for us, and then, yes, spacing the floor. Thats what probably like, the only thing people notice, you know? I’m seeing all parts of his game continue to grow, and that’s needed for our team.”
Spoelstra is right regarding floor spacing because that is one of Adebayo’s strongest elements. Of course, that element has already made him so effective offensively. He’s one of the league’s best big men who can space the floor and initiate that level of impact in a game. With his three-point shooting having improved, he will only be more dangerous.
Gregg Popovich Sees What Spoelstra Sees
Adebayo’s own coach isn’t the only head coach to recognize his growth as an offensive player. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich also chimed in on the subject matter. He was referenced back to when he coached Adebayo in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to the present. Popovich mirrored Spoelstra’s sentiments regarding Bam’s offensive growth.
“You know, he’s more confident offensively, for sure, he feels better about his jump shot, he’s even shooting a couple of threes, I think Tony worked with him for a while on the three… that’s the main thing with him, but everything else is steady as hell, he’s gonna be a worker, he’s gonna rebound, he’s gone move and cut and be a team player, all that’s the same. It’s just offensively more confident, a little bit more breath to his game.”
More of the Same, but More
Adebayo’s game is predicated chiefly on his high defensive IQ, paint presence, and rim protection, some of the “same” that Popovich alluded to. He wasn’t honored with five All-Defensive Team selections for nothing. With the added three-point element, Adebayo will have to be accounted for equally on both ends of the court, even more so. Will be Miami’s top three-point shooter? No, better to leave that status to Tyler Herro or Duncan Robinson.
However, Adebayo might have just moved himself into the “respect his shot” zone, forcing defenders to move on him with urgency if they see him hanging out 23 feet and nine inches from the basket.
