Even more than 2,000 kilometers from its usual lair, Bam Adebayo felt like he was at home. “ I don't feel like we're the traveling team “, released the Heat pivot ahead of the match against the Wizards which took place in Mexico.
An Olympic gold medalist this summer with Team USA, he had a good point of comparison in mind. “(At the Olympics), we played against France in Paris. We knew we weren't the home team. I feel like everyone here likes the Heat. We have a lot of energy and fans “, he described, comparing the local environment to that of Miami.
We have to believe that this energy rubbed off positively on him. Struggling in attack so far, with only 11 points on average (40% shooting), with 7 rebounds, in four outings, the three-time All-Star seriously woke up last night.
The Heat wanted to serve him more
No doubt he was motivated by his duel against the rookie opposite, the 2nd choice of the last Draft, Alex Sarr. If he made him work in defense with his transition play, Bam Adebayo was able to use his shoulders inside and his mid-distance technique to do a lot of harm to the Frenchman.
“ My teammates put me on track from the start, and it snowballed “, he blurted out after the meeting. That was precisely the Heat’s intention. Earlier in the weekErik Spoelstra recognized that Floridians must “ also give the ball to Bam. It's my responsibility. I have to find a way.
For the coach, it was not a question of shaking up everything in attack, but simply of taking into account a reality forgotten last year: the Heat executives are all in good health. Everyone's responsibilities are therefore redistributed.
“ We have as many weapons as possible and we score 107 points (editor’s note: against the Knicks). That's not what we're aiming for at the moment. Everyone should feel aggressive. They need to feel like themselves and we will achieve that. It's up to me to make Bam feel more comfortable in his positions », insisted the coach.
Finally a 3-point success
The team's greediest player, Tyler Herro, whose return to competition helps reduce the number of internal shooting tickets, was of the same opinion: “ It's about finding ways to get him the ball in areas that can allow our offense to continue to progress. He's clearly one of our best players, we have to serve him. »
Which was the case this night, since the pivot was able to use his favorite shot in the heart of the racket from 3-4 meters. Bam Adebayo got into a rhythm and was able to convert his first 3-pointers after eight straight misses to start the season.
“ We all know that Bam needs to take more shots and find his rhythm. This is something we need to talk about, and starting with me, we need to do a better job of it. But sometimes on the court, guys are trying to connect with others, and sometimes the best shot isn't for Bam. But I have to demand it and make sure he feels it from now on », posted Terry Rozier.
Instructions well applied last night with 32 points (12/24 on shots, including 3/5 from distance), 14 rebounds and 2 assists from inside.
| 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 | 2.4 | 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 |
| 2024-25 | MIA | 5 | 31 | 43.5 | 23.1 | 70.4 | 2.8 | 5.8 | 8.6 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 15.2 |
| Total | 494 | 30 | 54.6 | 22.2 | 75.4 | 2.2 | 6.5 | 8.7 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 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.
