Alonzo Mourning, LeBron James and now Bam Adebayo. The Heat pivot is the third player from his franchise to be named to the league's top defensive five. A first in his seven-year career for him.
“ This has clearly been a long time coming. But I stay in the present moment, I enjoy it, I am lucky to be one of those who were selected “, reacts insidewho remained on four selections in a row, but in the second five (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023).
Of the five 2024 defensive players who in no way take into account the logic of positions. Thus, Bam Adebayo accompanies Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama in the first, while the second gives pride of place to the backs.
The Floridian, however, considers that this award is only a step towards a greater objective: that of the trophy for best defender of the year. “ That's the point. You always want to rise, improve yourself. And you want it to be noticed. For me, it's a springboard », he displays.
Get media attention
However, adding, as he had already had the opportunity to express it in 2022: “ For me, I always felt like I was the best defender of the year. » However, the trophy went again this year to his Wolves counterpart after the journalists' vote.
“ I feel like I was respected by my peers throughout my NBA years. But obviously you have to prove it to get the prize, you have to prove it to the media. Are people starting to pay attention? I feel like they do at this point. […] We will continue to move things forward », Continues the only Heat player to have obtained votes, Jimmy Butler not having played enough.
“ He needs to continue to be exceptional on that side of the field, for people to understand how unique and influential he is. Sometimes it's clear to them, sometimes they need to learn the subtleties. […] It's not just about blocking shots or protecting the rim », recalled Erik Spoelstra earlier in the season.
His pivot is now awaiting the publication of the All-NBA Teams. If he is selected for the first time in one of these teams, Bam Adebayo will be eligible for the biggest contract extension possible.
| Bam Adebayo | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | MIA | 69 | 20 | 51.2 | 0.0 | 72.1 | 1.7 | 3.8 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 6.9 |
| 2018-19 | MIA | 82 | 23 | 57.6 | 20.0 | 73.5 | 2.0 | 5.3 | 7.3 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 8.9 |
| 2019-20 | MIA | 72 | 34 | 55.7 | 14.3 | 69.1 | 2.4 | 7.8 | 10.2 | 5.1 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 15.9 |
| 2020-21 | MIA | 64 | 34 | 57.0 | 25.0 | 79.9 | 2.2 | 6.7 | 9.0 | 5.4 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 18.7 |
| 2021-22 | MIA | 56 | 33 | 55.7 | 0.0 | 75.3 | 2.5 | 7.6 | 10.1 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 19.1 |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 75 | 35 | 54.0 | 8.3 | 80.6 | 2.5 | 6.7 | 9.2 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 20.4 |
| 2023-24 | MIA | 71 | 34 | 52.1 | 35.7 | 75.5 | 2.2 | 8.1 | 10.4 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 19.3 |
| Total | 489 | 30 | 54.7 | 22.1 | 75.5 | 2.2 | 6.5 | 8.7 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 15.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
