Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo is one of the select few players who will be participating in the NBA All-Star Game this weekend. It was an honor that he earned with stellar play throughout the first half of the season.
A lot of the positives that Adebayo brings to the table for the Heat are not measurable by statistics in the box score. His versatility defensively as their anchor is integral to the scheme head coach Erik Spoelstra deploys on that end of the court.
Capable of defending all five positions, Adebayo is arguably the most important player in Miami’s scheme. He averages 1.1 steals and one block per game, making life difficult for whoever he matches up against while pulling down 8.3 defensive rebounds per game.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bam Adebayo & Miami Heat Updates
Offensively, he remains a hub for the Heat. He is averaging 20.2 points and 4.2 assists and provides the team with extra possessions, averaging 2.3 offensive rebounds per game. Spoelstra is trusting him with the ball more, as his usage rate sits at a career-high 25.2 percent.
There are only four players in the NBA that are averaging 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, 4+ assists and 1+ steal per game this season along with Adebayo; Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. That is an excellent company to be with, as Adebayo has earned his All-Star nomination.
However, there is one thing that sticks out from the statistics that is holding him back from becoming an upper-echelon player. Adebayo has been virtually useless as a scorer from outside of the painted area in the 2023-24 season.
“Has shot 57.1% in the paint and has an effective field goal percentage of just 31.3% on shots from outside the paint. That’s the third biggest differential among 192 players with at least 100 field goal attempts both in and outside the paint, behind only those of Ausar Thompson and Giannis Antetokounmpo,” wrote John Schuhmann of NBA.com.
Adebayo is currently shooting 51 percent on the season, which would be a career-low number should it not improve post-All-Star break. He is not a threat from the perimeter, as evidenced by the numbers Schuhmann shared and the fact he is 1-for-11 on 3-point attempts.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bam Adebayo & Miami Heat Updates
The Heat are a solid team because of the coaching advantage that Spoelstra gives them. They have a culture instilled in everyone who plays for the team that keeps them competitive year in and year out.
But, if they want to truly become contenders for the NBA Championship, Adebayo needs to take his game to the next level. He is an offensive hub for the team, but being so limited when it comes to scoring the ball is something that needs to change.
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