The 2024-25 season is possibly a franchise-defining one for the future of the Miami Heat, and their All-Star center Bam Adebayo has had a delayed start following the crack of the starter pistol. It’s a defining season because Heat President Pat Riley heaped significant expectations on his team recently for the season. Jimmy Butler‘s future in Miami is up in the air also, and Adebayo is being set up for the face of the franchise long-term. Miami is 2-2 thus far, but the question is, what’s going on with Bam? And should there be any cause for concern?
No Need For Panic After Heat All-Star Center’s Offensive Struggles
Bam Adebayo Slumping at the Start
Riley made it clear last week that he wanted his core players to be better—Adebayo, Butler, Tyler Herro, and Terry Rozier. Riley is not resting on recent years of overachievement or exceeded expectations. No, he simply wants more from his team—to be better than last season. In the wake of Riley’s expectations, the Heat have started season 2-2. Butler, Herro, and Rozier have played relatively well, statistically speaking. Adebayo, on the other hand, has started mightily slow, which also shows up in his stats. Miami should be 3-1 right now, but they threw away Wednesday night’s game at home to the New York Knicks. The Heat went into halftime with the lead but were outscored 64-49 in the second half.
Adebayo had a rough game, scoring only 11 points, which is exactly what he is averaging through four games. This is not the Adebayo we know; this is not the Adebayo that his teammate Rozier knows. Whether Bam’s opening struggles are more on him or the flow of the offensive scheme Miami is running, Rozier knows getting Bam into a rhythm is crucial for the offense.
“We just got guys that are connecting and trying to play together, we all know that we gotta get Bam more shots, we gotta get him in his rhythm, so that’s something that we gotta talk about and that starts with me. I gotta do a better job…I gotta demand it and make sure that he’s feeling himself from now on.”
As Miami’s starting point guard, ball distribution is in Rozier’s charge the most, so it’s key that Bam becomes more of a focal point in the offensive zone is key. Rozier recognizing this is good; implementing it is the next step.
Why Panic Is Not Necessary
Miami is too good of a team to worry about less than two weeks into the season. And Adebayo is too great of a player to level serious concern only four games down. As Rozier stated, they’re figuring out ways to play together right now and finding that connection offensively. Bam will come to life; there is little doubt there. There is no space for excuses, but he did spend much of the off-season playing Olympic basketball and played significant minutes, too. That may be a playing factor early in the season.
As the Heat offense finds its groove, so will Adebayo. That’s why there is no need for panic, only a need to shift into a higher gear. Miami needs to focus on protecting leads in the second half. While Adebayo is not the number one option in the offensive zone, Miami’s playmakers need to do a better job of getting the Heat All-Star center the ball in the paint where he can do his most damage.
