Next up in our top 25 player rankings is Bam Adebayo. Few players can rival Bam’s elite defense and overall impact. Let’s analyze where one of the league’s best complementary stars lands within the NBA hierarchy.
Top 25 NBA Players 2024-25: No. 22 – Bam Adebayo
One of the NBA’s Best Defenders
In today’s game versatility is arguably the most important defensive skill and there is no defender more versatile than Adebayo. He is one of the only players able to consistently guard every position. Bam’s combination of size, strength, athleticism, and speed allows for this unprecedented versatility. Furthermore, Bam’s defense allows the Heat to run a variety of defensive schemes. Despite being surrounded by a below-average defensive team Bam has led Miami to a top-10 defense in each of the past four seasons. Notably, Bam’s defensive plus/minus ranks in the 97th percentile. Bam’s unmatched defensive impact and skillset give him a solid case as the league’s best defender.
In addition to his superb defense, Adebayo has a well-rounded skill set. He is a bruising and consistent interior scorer; his stellar rebounding paired with scoring makes him a nightly double-double. Bam also initiates a lot of Miami’s offense as a high-post playmaker. While he’s not Nikola Jokic by any means Adebayo is a very solid playmaker, especially for his position. As a secondary playmaker and mini-offensive hub, Bam is as good as it gets. Overall Bam’s incredible all-around skill set makes him one of the league’s best secondary stars.
The winner of NBA Twitter Defender Bracket is Bam Adebayo (@Bam1of1)
Total Votes: 649,328
The legend may not have a DPOY but he now has something much more valuable 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3YlxqicgOF
— NBA University (@NBA_University) September 3, 2024
Season Recap
After a magical NBA Finals run in 2023 as an eighth seed the Heat took a step back. While they finished as an eight seed again they were bounced in the first round by the eventual champion Boston Celtics. Notably, Jimmy Butler got injured in the play-in game and missed the first round. After the season many began speculating about Butler’s future with the team. Nevertheless, Bam had a stellar individual season posting averages of 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Notably, Bam made his second straight and career third All-Star team. Additionally, he was named to his fifth straight all-defensive team all of which he finished top-five in Defensive Player of the Year voting. While the Heat’s overall season was disappointing, Bam further cemented himself as a franchise cornerstone.
Season Outlook
Butler’s future with the Heat is uncertain, especially after Pat Riley’s offseason comments. The scenario of Butler leaving as a 2025 free agent is real, opening the possibility for Bam to become a true number-one option. Bam is clearly the most important player for Miami’s future. At 27 he is entering his true prime and his offense could reach another level. One thing to watch is Bam adding a three-point shot. While he’s never attempted more than one three per game in the last month of the season Bam shot 1.6 threes and 50 percent from beyond the arc. He showed some flashes of three-point shooting during the Olympics attempting 1.5 threes per game.
Adding a consistent three-point shooter would open up Adebayo’s offensive game and make him an all-around scoring threat. Bam is a career 75 percent free throw shooter and has a fundamentally sound jump shot giving reason to believe this improvement is possible. With improvements as a shooter and overall creator Bam could be a legitimate 23-plus point-per-game scorer this could also allow him to become a top-15 level player. Outside of these improvements, Bam will undoubtedly continue his incredible defense and overall play. Bam is a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award and could be the favorite if not for Victor Wembanyama.
The Last Word
As of right now, Bam has proven he can be a consistent second option on a championship-level team. This makes Bam one of the best complementary stars in the league. However, it’s possible he will improve his shot creation and overall scoring to establish himself as the legitimate number one option. Despite, Adebayo’s excellent all-around game his current lack of elite creation and inability to carry the load for an offense holds him back slightly on this list. From this point forward the list will consist of players who have proven to be number one options and whose shot creation can carry an offense. While Bam hasn’t proven this yet it is certainly a possibility he improves as a creator and becomes a top-15 level player.
