For years, the Miami Heat have sported one of the best defenses in the NBA. A big reason for their success on that end of the court has been the play of center, Bam Adebayo. He has cemented himself among the elite defenders in his league as his versatility is key to the Heat’s game plan.
His performance on that end of the court has received some recognition. Adebayo just wrapped up his fifth season in the NBA and he already has three All-Defensive Team nominations to his credit. However, he hasn’t received as much love when it comes to the grandest award, the Defensive Player of the Year.
Adebayo has actually never been a finalist for the award despite being recognized as one of the best defenders in the NBA. He has finished in the top five for three consecutive seasons, but never in the top three.
It is something that eats at him, as he believes he should have finished higher in the last two seasons. “I should have won it the last two years and I will win it this year,” Adebayo said when asked about goals that he has.
For the 2020-21 season, center Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz won the award for the third time in his career. That season, Bam Adebayo finished fourth in the voting with Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors ahead of him.
This past season, it was Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart, who became the first guard to win the award since Gary Payton during the 1995-96 campaign. For the second straight season, the Heat center finished in fourth place. Mikal Bridges of the Phoenix Suns finished second, followed by Gobert in third.
He has made improvements in the vote totals each season, receiving more voter points. Could the 2022-23 season be the one he breaks through in? Right now he has the second-best odds to win the award at +700, behind only Gobert at +550. Smart is a longshot to repeat, as his odds were set at +1000.
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