Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Fourth-quarter comeback saves the Storm, forces Game 3

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The Seattle Storm were a quarter away from having their season packed up by the visiting Las Vegas Aces, but Erica Wheeler and Skylar Diggins sprayed 11 points apiece in the fourth quarter to force Game 3. 

 

After the game, Nneka Ogwumike said the Storm are not unfamiliar with tight matches or playing from behind. She also added that they “had a concerted effort to exploit the switch” from Las Vegas’ scheme. 

 

A 23-8 run handed the Aces their first loss after 16 straight wins and two nights after pistol-whipping the Storm by 25 in Las Vegas. No one was more relieved than Seattle coach Noelle Quinn, who is likely close to being ejected from her seat.  

 

The hosts fell behind by as much as 12 in the final sequence, but Diggins started the avalanche, tying the game on a screen-roll floater. 

 

Wheeler had struggled three quarters, missing all five attempts, and checked in with seven minutes left for Brittney Sykes, who was invisible. The latter was the All-Star Seattle brought in via trade on Aug. 5 from Washington, and she was scoreless on Sunday, too.

 

Everything changed as Wheeler made a pull-up trey in NaLyssa Smith’s face in transition. She also curled behind a dribble handoff and fired from the middle, splashed a trifecta from the left corner and poured in a long pull-up two-pointer over Chelsea Gray. 

 

Sykes returned after a subsequent Las Vegas timeout with 31 seconds left to defend the inbound, but Seattle got bailed out because Gray threw her pass off target to Jackie Young. Then Diggins buried another floater in the lane, giving Seattle an 86-83 lead. 

 

Quinn credited rookie Dominique Malonga for holding reigning MVP A’ja Wilson scoreless in the last seven minutes. “We knew that A’ja is a load. If we can keep her to her average, that’s a plus for us.”

 

Game 3 is on Thursday in Las Vegas. 



Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Angel Reese has put the Chicago Sky on notice

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Angel Reese is a star and has no issues throwing her weight around on and off the court, even at the expense of her teammates. Her second season has five games left, but the start to her career has been spent on a team far away from doing anything serious because of internal drama, injuries and a limited, rebuilding roster. That’s not good enough for Reese, a college champion at LSU who also led Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore to three straight championships. 

 

She said, “… I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me,” per the Chicago Tribune’s Julia Powe. Now her teammates are rightfully upset.

 

Now think of the Sky’s avenue to improvement. Per a press release on April 13, “In 2026, the Sky hold the rights to swap Phoenix‘s first-round pick with Connecticut’s.” Yet, they traded their 2027 FRP and the third pick in the 2025 draft, which was used on All-Star rookie Sonia Citron, for Ariel Atkins, who is in her eighth season and was formerly a two-time All-Star. Don’t forget that they also got the 11th pick in the last draft and the Lynx kept Chicago’s 2026 FRP. Hailey Van Lith, Reese’s former teammate at LSU who has struggled in her rookie campaign, was picked at 11.

 

The Sky (9-30) is one game ahead of the Dallas Wings (9-32), owners of the worst record in the league.  Can anyone foresee a bounce-back year in 2026 for the Sky? They need it for their sake, so morale isn’t zapped if they are the bottom feeders and Washington drafts superstar prospect Juju Watkins through the original Chicago pick.  

 

Reese must be looking at Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas thinking, “Dang, give me a team like that, and we’ll be in the mix.” 

 

Reese, on top of being the most productive rebounder (by average) in WNBA history at age 23, has shown she can be a reliable playmaker, nearly doubling her assists (to 3.7 per game) on a lousy 3-point shooting team. With snipers around her, she could average two to three dimes on offensive rebounds alone because defenses are vulnerable in those situations. Eventually rivals will stop helping on her drives if she keeps burning them with a feed to the corner or wing, and when that happens, expect her accuracy to elevate at close range.

 

Additionally, Reese guards well, but needs teammates strong at checking the point of attack to maximize her impact. She can’t be next to someone who is exposed in drop coverage either. 

 

There are two things she needs to do to emulate Thomas: get stronger so opponents are at an even worse disadvantage when she dribbles toward the cylinder. The other is to keep working on her jumper, which only drops 28.2% of the time, per WNBA Stats. This season, Thomas has raised her accuracy on her jumper by 15.2%.

 

Still, Reese has played at the level of a top-15 player since her turnaround after the poor start to the season. It behooves the Sky to get her some help quickly.



The Miami Heat’s ’06 files: Setting the stage

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The dream season became a nightmare as the Pistons celebrated as Eastern Conference champions in the Heat’s house following Game 7 in 2005. The hosts exited to the locker room with their pride wounded, looking like they’d seen an apparition after blowing a 3-2 lead.

 

Two sweeps against New Jersey and Washington were inconsequential because what could have gone wrong in the fourth quarter did. The Heat got away from what worked- giving it to Shaquille O’Neal- instead Dwyane Wade took bad shots and the role players did too much, including Damon Jones, whose turnover with two minutes left resulted in a Rip Hamilton pick-6, tying the game.

 

Wade said after that, “They made plays at the end, you know, that we didn’t make. That was the main thing.”

 

On the other side, Chauncey Billups buried a trifecta and coffin-closing free throws. Rasheed Wallace took the lead for good with freebies and made a vital putback with under a minute left on the next possession. 

 

The Heat’s clock management was suspect, and Wade didn’t get a clean look from deep while down four points with seven seconds left. 

 

O’Neal was the white whale that the front office acquired the previous summer, instantly elevating them to contending status. He was even better than in his last year with the Lakers after shedding around 40 pounds, too, and his presence with the remaining ingredients racked up 59 regular-season victories, the second-most in franchise history at the time. 

 

The one-two combination with O’Neal and Wade was as tough to stop as any league duo, but the latter was compromised with a rib injury suffered in Game 5 and needed an injection before tip-off of Game 7. Ron Culp, who was the Heat’s first trainer and later died in 2021 of cardiac arrest per his official obituary, applied heat to the rib area during timeouts.

 

Heat play-by-play broadcaster Eric Reid told Five Reasons Sports Network that the moment Wade got hurt was a “high point and a low point at the same point.” He tried warming up for Game 6, but never played.  

 

The Heat’s locker room was quiet after elimination because they felt they let one slip away. O’Neal’s voice usually filled every room with bass, but not this time. The Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds was present for the scene. He told FRSN, “If you weren’t within six inches of him, you couldn’t hear him.”  

 

O’Neal was pissed off not just at the outcome but at coach Stan Van Gundy as well because he wanted the ball more late. He complained to anyone who would listen about Van Gundy later that offseason. 

 

Management’s first order of business was to improve when league rules allowed. Team president Pat Riley called Wade in the summer for his input on moves and received feedback from his surprised star player. Wade publicly said on Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith during the 2005-06 season that the moves confused him. The changes included: 

 

-Certified playmaker Jason Williams via five-team trade from Memphis. 

 

-Top-shelf perimeter defender and 3-point marksman James Posey via five-team trade from Memphis.

 

-Antoine Walker, a former 20-point-per-game scorer, arrived via a five-team trade.

 

-Gary Payton, whom the Heat wanted for multiple years, committed on Sept. 22. Payton’s defensive prowess was instantly going to help the Heat at guarding at pick and roll, a notorious weakness for O’Neal, who was his teammate in 2003-04 in LA. 

 

-Jason Kapono, the 10th man for the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004-05, was an extra body with outside range. He signed as a free agent on Oct. 3.

 

One of the consequences of Eddie Jones’ inclusion in the Memphis trade was that more was demanded of Wade on defense. Wade added on Quite Frankly, “My concern was defensively… as a young player, I didn’t know how to take that, but I came in and worked hard to become the best defender I can for this team to help us win and still be productive on the offensive end.” The other departures included Keyon Dooling, Rasual Butler, D. Jones, Steve Smith and Christian Laettner.

 

Additionally, one advantage the Heat had going into 2005-06 was that Alonzo Mourning was arguably the best backup big man in the NBA. He was no longer the man who was second and third in consecutive years in MVP voting while winning back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards because of a kidney scare years earlier, but Mourning could still guard well and was a respected member of the team. He returned to the Heat on March 1, 2005.

 

Reid said, “On paper, it looked like the greatest team that the franchise had ever put together.” For that reason, the mood around the team was all or nothing. Despite Wade only going into year three, O’Neal would turn 33 that season and with limited time before his powers declined further.

 

 “Some players didn’t love how hard that training camp was,” Reynolds said. “Stan Van Gundy was the coach in that camp, but it was a Pat Riley training camp in a lot of ways.” Multiple members of the team did not show up in Heat shape.

 

While management did its job, making bold alterations for a squad nearly there, one cloud hung in the backdrop: Before the upcoming campaign, Riley said he wanted to be more hands-on with the team, unnecessarily creating speculation about Van Gundy’s job security. 

—

-Stay tuned for more podcasts and written episodes of the ‘06 Files during the Heat’s 2025-26 season.



 

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Big-time fourth-quarter heroics saved the Sparks in the win over the touring Mystics

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Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby kept the Sparks from folding against the visiting Mystics. Despite Washington being eliminated from playoff contention, they tried to play spoiler, hanging around until the end. Los Angeles’ flimsy playoff hopes stay alive with six games remaining, the last three being at home. 

The Sparks took first blood with a 12-0 run. They flashed a 2-3 zone early, plus benefited from missed open shots while holding Washington to 16.7% first-quarter shooting.  Rickea Jackson built most of LA’s 11-point lead, making two trays on and off the dribble, plus got to the line. Cameron Brink came off the bench, warping drives to the basket, too.

 

Then the Mystics tied the game with Sonia Citron on the bench by cracking the zone for an inside finish, scoring on the break after a turnover, Kiki Iriafen making a right-side jumper, Jade Melbourne downing a left-side triple, and Lucy Olsen stealing (her fourth) and scoring in Washington territory for a layup.  But the Sparks countered with a 16-7 run, pulling away in the fast lane as the visitors went cold.

 

The Sparks led 40-31 at intermission, setting an 11-2 edge in fastbreak points. Iriafen was the only Mystic starter to log more than a field goal (3), and the other four combined for 18.1% shooting in the first half. 

 

Iriafen followed up with cutting layups and a midrange jumper, but her teammates were allergic to the net for almost nine minutes. On the other side, the Sparks’ ball movement exposed the guests, and they raised their advantage to 14, but they got too comfortable. The edge was cut to six heading into the fourth on a late burst from Lucy Olsen, Emily Engstler, Shakira Austin and Citron. 

 

The Mystics were like a fighter with a second wind in the championship rounds, and they took their first lead of the game nearly 2 minutes into the fourth on a drive-and-kick triple set up for Stefanie Dolson. Yet Plum, who had made one of seven shots through three quarters, punished Washington from the outside and sliced inside, and Hamby’s rim pressure broke down the Mystics. The former had 14 of her 18 digits in the fourth. 

 

The Sparks won 81-78 while being outscored off the bench by 17. Their record improved to 18-20.

 

At her on-court interview, Plum said it’s the point of the season when everyone is tired and praised her teammates for their resolve and ball screen defense. She knew she would get loose, and they had no answers for her off-ball movement and pull-up shots when she did.  

 

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: “I’m the human definition of ‘stay ready so you don’t have to get ready’”: Sims and Fever break LA’s heart

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Odyssey Sims nailed a left-handed floater in the lane, lifting the Fever to their 21st win and sinking the Sparks perhaps out of the playoff race. It was her first visit back to LA against the team that waived her on July 2. Aside from the Fever exposing the paint for 52 digits, they outscored LA on second chances (16-5), on the break (13-10) and points off turnovers (23-8).

 

The Sparks had an early 10-point lead but that vanished quickly. The fourth quarter started with the Sparks ahead 58-57. Azura Stevens was a problem for the Fever as she barreled into the paint for two layups and downed a 3-pointer. But they keyed in on Rickea Jackson and Kelsey Plum, holding them to zero points on three second-half attempts. 

 

Sims totaled 21 points, including nine in the fourth quarter on runners in the lane and a wing triple, plus logged three assists and six boards. 

 

After the game, Sims said, “I haven’t been with the team long, but each practice, each game, [We’re] getting better. We have two other new players along with myself, so [we’re] continuing to gel, like [Boston] said… tonight wasn’t pretty, but the most important thing, we came out with the W.”

 

Aliyah Boston also scored six of her 22 points in the fourth quarter as the pendulum swung back and forth six times late. Notably, she missed her first five attempts but made her next 11 of 13 tries, including eight in a row between the first and third quarter.

 

Coach Stephanie White was pleased with her team’s defense and discipline. “The selfless nature of this group just can’t be overstated, and that’s why we are able to be in positions like this that we are able to be in.”

 

The Fever remain the sixth seed, three games ahead of ninth place (Sparks) and one in front of eighth (Valkyries), with five matches left on the calendar. Their games against the Sky (Sept. 5) and the Lynx (Sept. 9) will be in Indiana, but the others versus the Valkyries (Aug. 31), the Mercury (Sept. 2) and the Mystics (Sept. 7) are away.

 

 



Nikola Jović: Why All the Hype?

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Nikola Jović: Why All the Hype?

Nikola Jović was drafted 27th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. Now in his third season, he has averaged 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 45% from the field, 37% from three, and 80.4% from the line. While his growth has been steady, he has yet to play 50 games in a season due to injuries, the latest being a fractured right hand that cut short his 2024–25 campaign. Despite these setbacks, the hype around Jović is louder than ever.

I wrote this piece back in January-Nikola Jovic: The Heat’s Emerging Star

A Modern NBA Build

Standing at 6’10” and around 210 pounds, Jović possesses a coveted frame in today’s NBA. He can handle the ball, create for teammates, and stretch the floor as a shooter. The Heat drafted him as a raw prospect, but his unique blend of size and skill has always hinted at something more — a potential “point forward” who can bend defenses in multiple ways. His frame still needs added bulk for interior battles, but the foundation is there.

Career Overview and Growth Trajectory

Jović’s development has mirrored the classic Miami Heat blueprint: patient, gritty, and incremental.

  • 2022–23 (Rookie Season): Limited to 29 games due to a back injury, averaging 5.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 13.6 minutes. Poor perimeter shooting (22.9% from three) and defense lagged.
  • 2023–24 (Sophomore Season): Earned consistent minutes, starting in 38 of his 46 games. Averaged 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 20.5 minutes. Shot 38.7% from three, and had dependable defense, closing the season strong and building trust with coach Erik Spoelstra.
  • 2024–25 (Third Season): Career highs across the board — 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and nearly 83% from the line over 46 games. Shifted between starter and sixth man, thriving as a connector in the Heat’s motion offense. His best game came on February 5 vs. Philadelphia: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists. Unfortunately, his season ended early with a fractured right hand.

Why the Hype Now?

Despite being sidelined, the buzz around Jović has grown in 2025. A few reasons stand out:

  • Breakout Flashes: A 24-point playoff performance against Cleveland in April showed he can rise to big moments.
  • International Play: His work with Serbia — including games alongside Nikola Jokić — has validated his ability to run offense at a high level. First Euro Basket game, 18 PTS 4 REB 6 AST 1 STL 6/8 FGM (75 FG%) 3/4 3PM (75 3P%) 3/3 FTM (100 FT%) +36.
  • Heat Optimism: With roster turnover and head coach Erik Spoelstra praising his development, Jović is viewed as a potential cornerstone for Miami’s next era.
  • Modern Fit: In an NBA dominated by versatile forwards, Jović’s blend of size, handle, and shooting fits the archetype of players like Franz Wagner or Jayson Tatum.

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps on Nikola Jović:

“He’s had a couple nice games early for Serbia… I think there’s a real good chance he could be the starting four for the HEAT this season.”

Spoelstra on Nikola Jović’s Progression:

“Where he was as a rookie to who he’s becoming now — it’s night and day. The work ethic, the professionalism, the consistency… that’s why I’m encouraged.”

Challenges Ahead

The hype is real, but the next step requires addressing a few key gaps:

  • Durability: Staying healthy for a full season is priority number one.
  • Self-Creation: His pull-up shooting remains inconsistent, and he needs tighter handles to take on more primary creation duties.
  • Strength & Defense: Adding muscle could help him finish through contact and guard bigger wings.

2025–26 Projection via Basketball Reference

According to Basketball Reference’s projections, Jović is expected to average per-36 numbers of 15.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on 46.8% shooting from the field, 38.6% from three, and 81.1% from the line. For a 22-year-old still carving out his role, this would represent a major leap forward in efficiency and production. If realized, it would cement his place as a key piece in Miami’s rotation and validate the growing hype surrounding him.

Final Word

Nikola Jović is not yet a star, but the ingredients are there. Miami’s development track record, paired with his modern skillset, makes him one of the most intriguing young forwards in the league. His presence will reshape the Heat’s rotation — allowing Kel’el Ware to thrive as a high-impact bench piece and giving Miami added size across all lineups. Just as importantly, Jović has shown he can work seamlessly next to Bam Adebayo, creating one of the more versatile frontcourt pairings in the East. If he can stay healthy and continue refining his game, the hype might soon feel justified — and the Heat may have found their next cornerstone.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: A’ja Wilson should have the lead for the MVP crown

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Napheesa Collier returned from her seven-game absence (ankle), dicing coverages with jumpers and runners, reminding everyone that she was the MVP front-runner before her injury in the Minnesota Lynx’s win over the visiting Indiana Fever on Sunday. She racked up 32 points on 68.8% shooting, with nine rebounds plus two offerings and sat down as fewer than two minutes remained. 

 

The Lynx improved to 30-7, six games ahead of the Atlanta Dream, which has the second-best record in the league (24-13). Now with their best player back, the war path resumes for the WNBA championship at full speed.

 

Yet, A’ja Wilson should be in the lead for the MVP crown. The Aces were in the middle of an abysmal season because the team isn’t as strong as the ones of the past few years. They’ve since gone on a 10-game winning streak, leaping to the third seed of 13 teams. Coach Becky Hammon has sent Jewell Loyd to the bench and put Kiersten Bell in the starting lineup, but the biggest difference is that Wilson elevated her play.

 

Wilson is averaging 27 points on 50.3% shooting, with 12.8 rebounds and 2.5 dimes over the 10 straight wins. She’s playing at last year’s record-setting level and if she keeps up her scoring, is going to come close to another 1,000-point season. On top of that, she’s missed six fewer games, and her production is comparable to Collier’s. 

 

 Consider this: The Lynx went 5-2 without Collier because they are stacked at every position. Remove Wilson from the Aces’ lineup for seven straight games, and they probably lose all of them as they are 1-3 without her this season. 

 

Collier is ahead of Wilson in accuracy, logging a 58.5 effective field goal percentage to the latter’s 50.7 EFG%. Yet, Wilson’s team is not as deep, and opponents have more opportunities to load up on her. Furthermore, Wilson scores with less help inside the arc, as those shots are assisted 67.8% of the time, and Collier’s are 80.3%. All of Wilson’s triples are assisted, but she takes 1.4 nightly, making 0.4. Collier attempts 3.6, nailing 1.4 and 97.3% of those are helped.

 

Jonquel Jones won MVP in 2021, missing five games, the most by a winner. Yet that was when the season was shorter at 32 games, and she still logged 84.4% of them. Collier has missed 10 this season, and if she doesn’t miss any more, she’ll have recorded 77.3% of the matches. 

 

Wilson is a two-way force who creates overreactions easily. She is first in second chance points (3.9), tied for first with Collier in points off turnovers (4.4) and second in paint points behind Dearica Hamby (12.2). It might be enough to win her fourth MVP trophy in six seasons.

 

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: “I ended up getting pushed through the door to coach Showtime”: Pat Riley’s statue unveiling date announced and notes on the WNBA Rookie of the Year race

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Pat Riley will have his statue unveiled at Star Plaza by the Lakers when they host the Celtics on Feb. 22, per a team press release. He is still second in regular season wins (533) and second in winning percentage (.733), never having below a 50-win campaign as the head. Additionally, he is also second in playoff wins (102) and first in playoff winning percentage (68.5).

 

That’s a thick résumé for the guy who was denied entry by security into the press lounge before accepting a job as co-broadcaster to Chick Hearn. He eventually found himself as an assistant after Jack McKinney’s bicycle accident and two seasons later, was the head coach after Magic Johnson got Paul Westhead fired.

 

“I ended up getting pushed through the door to coach Showtime,” Riley said on an appearance on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Skyhook podcast in September 2022. He was also self-deprecating, saying the greatest talented team in the NBA carried him until he learned how to coach.

 

Hall-of-Famer Michael Cooper told Five Reasons Sports Network two years ago for a story on Riley’s career that he was a master motivator who instantly changed the intensity of practices when he took over. Sometimes he would resort to his “temporary insanity” methods to keep players disciplined and grounded, but he knew the right time to lay off and was sharp with the Xs and Os. It also helped that he was willing to accept difficult personalities, even admitting in his book, Show Time, that “A few sinners mixed in with a few saints can be a powerful brew.”

 

                                                    (Game 6 in Philadelphia, 1980)

Riley was the coach for the 1982 championship over the 76ers, then helped the Lakers get revenge on the Celtics in 1985 for the previous year and the other seven times they were finished off. He was also the coach when they became the first team since the Celtics (1968, 1969) to repeat as champions in 1987 and 1988. He guaranteed that at the parade after taking down the Celtics while James Worthy was hungover.

 

Other players were also angry, but he didn’t care. He wanted them to own their greatness.  The ride lasted two more years, but there were four rings as the head and one as an assistant, plus one Coach of the Year selection (1990) at its end. His impact plus style, which he stole from his father, made him an icon. It’s impossible to measure how much not accepting the role in Tequila Sunrise (19880 has affected his legacy, but he’s probably content.

 

While telling the story of the ‘87 title in Show Time, Riley was unreserved, explaining how he lived on parasitic value. He shared the story of when Jerry West said he was going to retire, and when he wondered if he could ever be as successful without Johnson, who was walking off into the distance on a Bahamian beach. It’s incredible to look through considering what he accomplished after his Lakers chapter.

WNBA Rookie of the Year race:

 

The Rookie of the Year race should be over while the WNBA season is almost three-quarters complete. It’s been an excellent class of youngsters, but the number one pick, Paige Bueckers, separated herself from her peers.

 

Keep in mind that Sonia Citron is another top-shelf guard and now the best player on the Washington Mystics after Brittney Sykes was traded to Seattle. Yet Bueckers is an advanced weapon, setting records like being the fastest rookie to log 450 digits and 100 offerings, and has been the best player all season on the Dallas Wings (9-24) while occasionally dealing with knee soreness.

 

Aside from leading all rookies in scoring, Bueckers receives less help than the only ones averaging double-figure scoring (Citron- 14.8; Kiki Iriafen- 12.5; Janelle Salaün- 10.4). On top of that, Bueckers faces more pressure from opponents on the dribble and is the best shot creator for others in this group; her assist-to-turnover ratio (2.6) is higher than Citron (1.3), Iriafen (0.8), and Salaün 0.86).

 

Can Bam Adebayo Be an All-NBA Player in Year 9?

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It is no question that Bam Adebayo is one of the NBA’s best defensive players, if not the best. He can guard all positions one-five on the interior and exterior of the court and has done so in the biggest moments. This past season Bam Adebayo was snubbed, left off an NBA All-Defensive team for the first time this decade, but the question I dive into today. Is how does Bam Adebayo become an All-NBA player, not just making the All-Defensive team.

Bam Adebayo is a max player, and a worthy one. Many of his statistics won’t show up in the box score and he has helped carry an immense load for a Heat team that has numerous holes defensively. But for Bam to get recognition around the league, where does he need to improve, what does he need to prove, and what is he already doing that isn’t viewed as importantly as it should be.

Now why do I ask the question? Well, Jeff Teague had some strong things to say about Bam Adebayo

“Bam been sliding under the radar. We putting the pressure on Bam. He gotta figure it out. He’s gotta be at 24 and 10. The 18 and 9 that’s solid numbers for a 3 option… he should be a dominant All NBA player next year” Jeff Teague via the Club520 Podcast.

Jeff Teague’s comments about Bam needing to average “24 and 10” to be considered a dominant, All-NBA player, while perhaps a bit of an exaggeration, highlight this reality. When you look at the short list of players who have averaged at least 24 points and 10 rebounds while also making an All-Defensive team, a list that includes legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, you see the company Bam is being measured against. These are not just great players; they’re all-time greats who were their team’s offensive engine and defensive anchor (they also all won the MVP in years they did this).

Credit to David for pointing this out.

@TwoWayDav
It’s no secret that the NBA values scoring. Players who put up big offensive numbers get the spotlight, and that often translates into awards. For a big man to make an All-NBA team, they typically need to be a primary or secondary offensive option, which is a role reserved for players who can consistently dominate the box score.

 

What Does Bam Do Already?

Bam Adebayo’s Ranks in Miami Heat Franchise History:

  • 4th in points

  • 2nd in rebounds

  • 3rd in assists

  • 4th in steals

  • 5th in blocks

  • 1st in double-doubles

  • 3rd in triple-doubles

1. He’s the Defensive Anchor Every Team Wants

Bam Adebayo is one of the few players in the NBA who can legitimately guard all five positions. His lateral quickness allows him to switch onto guards, his strength and timing let him body centers, and his anticipation disrupts passing lanes and screens alike. In the 2024-25 season, he’s averaging 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, also tallying 4.0 defensive win shares this past season, 7th in the NBA despite the Heat’s minimal defense. His iconic block on Jayson Tatum in Game 1 of the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals remains a defining moment, showcasing his ability to swing playoff games. Bam doesn’t just defend—he dictates the game’s flow, allowing Miami to deploy creative schemes while staying a top 10 defense.

Via @Dru_Star on X

“Bam might not get the credit that he is due because we got guys that score a lot more points. And that’s what people like. That’s pretty. That’s cute. But the one consistent piece that has kept that shit together is Bam.” –

@ThisIsUD

w/ @TaylorRooks

2. Rare Two-Way Versatility

Offensively, Bam is more dynamic than he’s ever been. This season he averaged 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, while shooting a career-best 35.7% from three. He’s not just a dunker or mid-range shooter anymore—he’s stretching the floor and creating for others, becoming a true modern big.

Bam ranks highly in every major category and would only get better with some pressure taken off.

At 28, Bam is in his prime—and his game is still evolving. He’s the rare big who can initiate offense, run dribble-handoffs, hit timely jumpers, and score efficiently inside. And he does it while still being your best defender on the other end. That’s superstar-level versatility.

What is the Standard?

Well, last season was a down year for Bam much in part to a slow start causing him to miss out on an All Star selection. Bam will have to be much improved to be All-NBA, but it is achievable.

Last year the three big men were

  1. Nikola Jokic- 29.6 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 10.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 57.6% FG, 41.7% 3P, 80.0% FT, 66.3% TS, 17 triple-doubles.
  2. Evan Mobley- 18.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 55.7% FG, 37.0% 3P, 72.5% FT, 60.4% eFG, DPOY
  3. Karl Anthony Towns- 24.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 52.6% FG, 42% 3P, 82.9% FT, 58.4% eFG,

Bam- 18.1 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 48.5% FG, 35.7% 3P, 76.5% FT, 52.1% eFG,

Bam actually did receive one second place vote. 

So, Bam isn’t that far off, and definitely does not need to average 24/10 to be an All-NBA guy, but maybe the Heat just have to win more and Bam just has to be Bam.

In 2023, Bam’s best season he received just five votes, one second-team vote and four third-team votes. Adebayo was one of 10 players to receive votes without being named to an All-NBA team and still looks to add this to his already stout resume.

The Path to All-NBA

1. Become an Offensive Go-To Option. Especially in the Clutch

While he’s a skilled passer and efficient scorer, Bam needs to take on a larger offensive load. He’s already a fantastic in doing all the right things, but to get All-NBA recognition, he needs to expand his game as a primary scorer. This means a more consistent post-up game, a more reliable jumper, and the confidence to take over games offensively. The Heat need to trust him to be a featured scorer, not just a facilitator or third option. If Bam can unlock this level not only will the Heat get better, but the view of Bam across the league will improve. Consistency is key.

2. Change the Narrative

This is the hardest part. Bam’s value is often described in terms of “intangibles” and defensive impact, which don’t always translate into popular acclaim. He needs a breakout offensive season to force the conversation to be about more than just his defense. If he can consistently push his scoring into the low-to-mid 20s while maintaining his incredible defensive output, he would be impossible to ignore.

In the end, Bam Adebayo’s path to becoming an All-NBA player is about bridging the gap between his immense defensive value and the high-scoring expectations of the league. It’s a combination of personal growth, a change in how the Heat uses him, and a shift in how the league views a player who is a true superstar on both ends of the floor.

Bam had similar numbers to Evan Mobley, but the Cavs were worlds better than the Heat, in years prior Bam may have been snubbed, but this season Bam just needs to be consistent over 65+ games.

Final Thoughts

Bam’s defense has already cemented him as one of the defining big men of his generation. The numbers, the accolades, and the moments all back it up. But in a league obsessed with scoring, his path to All-NBA will come from pairing that defensive dominance with a clear jump in offensive production. A healthier, more balanced Heat roster can help him get there. With Norman Powell adding perimeter scoring/defense, growth from Kel’el Ware, and less burden on Bam to cover every defensive gap, he will have more energy and opportunity to assert himself as a go-to option on offense. If he can keep anchoring an elite defense while pushing his scoring into the low 20s, the votes will follow. The rest of the league may still be catching up to how rare his two-way impact is, but when they do, the All-NBA recognition will come because Bam Adebayo has been that player all along.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Can Tyler Herro take another leap?

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Is it wise to bet against someone who has improved every year of his career? It’s only possible to keep elevating when one spends numerous hours in the lab and desires more of their status. 

 

Of course, growth isn’t always linear and players plateau, but keep in mind that Tyler Herro was one of 10 ballers in 2024-25 to record at least 23 points per game on a minimum effective field goal percentage of 56.0. Notably, he played more games than the others on the list- Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Zach LaVine, Karl-Anthony Towns, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson. 

 

Herro is entering his prime at age 25, coming off his first All-Star selection. He is finally settling into his grown man strength and creates separation easier than ever against the most pressure he’s ever seen. 

 

It would help the team if Herro became more of a threat, getting to the line, but it may not happen, accounting for his diet of shots sprinkled from short, mid and long range, unless he develops a killer feint as Dwyane Wade had. He might want to invest in that because it’s a league-wide epidemic that players can’t stay down.

 

An area he can improve is playmaking for others. His reads are sharper than ever, recording a career-high in assists (5.5) and in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.14) in 2024-25. Additionally, last year was his second consecutive logging over a 2.05 assist to turnover ratio.

 

His time of possession was 4.9 minutes per game last season, which was 25th for players who suited up for at least 70% of the year. It will presumably hover around the same spot even with the Norman Powell addition because Herro has the superior handle and is a better distributor. On top of that, Powell’s time of possession is 42% (2.1) of Herro’s.

 

Gauging Powell’s potency as a sniper, he should be a consistent screening weapon for Herro, who will then pass to him when triggering an overreaction. Playing faster is also a wise choice, particularly taking advantage of Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins’ athleticism in the open court. 

 

If coach Erik Spoelstra wants to experiment with more on-ball reps for Powell, Wiggins or Adebayo, Herro can adapt because he spent the 2024 offseason getting off-ball practice in and then logged a 59.3EFG% on catch-and-shoot attempts from everywhere in 2024-25. 

 

Don’t forget that the Warriors successfully used Wiggins to take the ball up-court in 2021-22, which took eyes off Curry. Herro is not Curry, of course, but he can succeed in similar ways without the ball. One way would be if Spoelstra incorporated more split action with Adebayo as the perimeter screener for Herro. Many big men don’t want to be out there and can’t, so Herro will have extra time when Adebayo roadblocks someone. 

 

Yet Herro said at exit interviews on April 30 that he wants to focus on closing games, which will sometimes require him to be a playmaker or decoy. “Whether that’s making a play for myself or making a play for a teammate, but ultimately just making the right and overall best play for the team.” He added that he’ll use film to work on it. 

 

Going into his seventh season, the league likely hasn’t seen Herro’s best.