Unusual situation for DeMar DeRozan at the head of the racket. Ayo Dosunmu comes to set a screen for him, his defender Tyler Herro comes in opposition at the back of the Bulls, then goes to take over his player. The Heat does not change on defense and… Bam Adebayo asks the veteran opposite.
The latter tries to overtake the Heat pivot, then rises, but is countered for the inside, responsible for defending on him at the start of the “play-in”. Because yes, Erik Spoelstra made this choice, at first glance surprising, to send his pivot to defend against the main opposing offensive threat.
“ We said that DeRozan is a player who can completely take control of a playoff game. If our most inspiring player is going to make an impact, it will be against their leading scorer “, justifies the coachwhose choice did not lack strategic interest.
Present in aid
We saw his pivot float a lot in the racket, in the assists, leaving space for DeMar DeRozan behind the 3-point line, where he is traditionally less comfortable. Even if last night, the back was the most skillful of his team in this register (3/6 and 8/16 in general for 22 points).
Bam Adebayo describes this unusual defensive mission as a “ another day at the office ” And says he appreciates the trust placed in him by his coach. His stat line is unimpressive: 13 points (5/8 on shots), 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks in 32 minutes. But his impact on other Heat players has been significant, inspiring as his coach says, since Jimmy Butler's injury.
“ What we needed, what we felt, was inspiration. Bam has been our most inspiring player, especially in Jimmy's absence. They are our most inspiring players. And they always have been. When they are at their competitive best, you feel like you can beat anyone », Estimates the coach.
An upcoming battle with the Celtics
Concretely, this role as a model towards others translated into a message. “ For me it was simple: 'If you have doubts or are afraid, get a dog. Don't run, because it does nothing but affect the people who really believe we can win.' », reports the pivot, whose aura is described as “ absolutely incredible » by Jaime Jaquez Jr.
By booking their ticket for the playoffs, the Floridians must now face the big favorites from the East, the Celtics. On the defensive side, it is not impossible to imagine Nikola Jovic trying to take care of Kristaps Porzingis, while his racquet friend could be mobilized on Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum.
“ I didn't even think about it. It was to set the tone of the game, to help take the stress or pressure off anyone else in the locker room, Bam had to bring that, and he did. », notes Erik Spoelstra, whose leader expects a “ fierce struggle “, ” a fight in the mud » with the Celtics: « It won't be good basketball. That's usually how it goes when we play this team. »
| 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.
