Bam Adebayo: A Young Player’s Idol

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It is not everyday that a 23 year old gets labeled as a 19 year old’s dream player, but in this draft, that seems to be the case.

There’s one name that seems to come up for every big in this draft, when discussing what player they model their game after.

Bam Adebayo.

And it’s clearly not for a skill-set reason, since most of the players who mention his name play nothing like him. Instead, they model his work ethic, and more importantly, his uniqueness.

Adam Simon said in his press conference earlier in the week, Bam is “one of one,” and it’s clear that’s a mutual thought between everybody who has seen him play.

Whenever players in past drafts are asked the question of players they look up to, you usually hear LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and many other top players. But not only are those guys top five players, they’re also veterans who players in the draft have been watching since they were young kids.

So what makes it so interesting when Bam’s name comes up, is that most of these players just began watching him this past season.

Guards in the draft don’t say they want to be like Donovan Mitchell.

Wings in the draft don’t say they want to be like Jayson Tatum.

But for some reason, the star center from the 2017 NBA draft class, seems to have all the young bigs wanting to be like him.

And the best part about it for Bam Adebayo, is that he’s not even close to his ceiling. He’s evolving by the second, while improving in every part of his game little by little.

But ultimately, character matters in this league. And Bam Adebayo has just that, since it’s clear that he is a very likable player and person across the league.

There weren’t many guys shooting from way beyond the three-point line until Steph Curry did it.

There weren’t many big men shooting consistently and efficiently from three until Dirk Nowitzki did it.

And now, there aren’t many bigs who are capable of doing absolutely everything on the basketball court, but Bam Adebayo is paving the way.

And luckily, he has a herd of guys following behind him, which will alter the game of basketball yet again.

Some Miami Heat Draft Notes from Media Session Day 4

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Two guys that talked a little about the Miami Heat possibly picking them were Arizona teammates, Zeke Nnaji and Josh Green.

When Nnaji was asked about what teams he worked out with, the first team he brought up was the Miami Heat. He mentioned that they were the first team that worked him out.

He also mentioned quite a few times that his body fat is down to 5.9%, and he’s added 20 pounds of muscle. It almost seemed as if he was mentioning it for a specific reason.

He also brought up the fact that Andre Iguodala was a mentor for him, whenever he would come back to Arizona to speak with the team.

And with his improved shooting, he believes he can play some power forward, so Miami definitely could take him with that 20th pick.

Josh Green, on the other hand, did not mention any workouts with the Miami Heat, but did talk a little about the interview he had with them.

He said, “It was a good call. I was able to meet them all…I think they’re interested for sure.”

And I would think so too, since he’s the type of polished player that Miami would possibly consider. If Miami doesn’t take him with the 20th pick, I believe the 76ers would snag him with the 21st pick, due to the relationship with Ben Simmons.

Vernon Carey Jr also spoke with media today, but wouldn’t discuss any workouts with teams. I’ve talked about the connection with Miami for a while now, so it’s clear he will be considered.

Jaden McDaniels and Nico Mannion are also in that 20 range, but neither mentioned Miami when discussing the teams they’ve worked out with.

It’ll be interesting to see what Miami does with this pick on Wednesday, especially since there’s a chance it won’t be in their possession for long.

Miami Heat Off-Season: Best Player or Best Fit?

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NBA trades will officially begin today, and there’s a chance Miami could be among one of them pretty soon.

There’s talk of Miami packaging young assets for the big star, or they could potentially just acquire a role guy.

The question is what is Miami’s goal this off-season, landing the best player or landing the best fit?

Two players that land under that category are Danilo Gallinari and Wesley Matthews, since it was reported that both may have interest in Miami.

Danilo Gallinari is clearly an outstanding player for this team offensively. Many rave about the fit next to Bam Adebayo, but the fit with Duncan Robinson stands out more. Having two guys in the starting lineup, along with Tyler Herro potentially, that are that deadly from three would improve Miami’s biggest strength even more. But, it also hurts there biggest weakness.

At this stage, Miami’s offense is not a worry at all. Obviously there’s always room to improve it, but defensively is what Miami should be looking at more. If Miami has Herro, Duncan, and Gallinari in the starting lineup, it would honesty be a defensive nightmare.

Some will say that you can stagger the starting lineup, but the ends of games will be the bigger issue. If you can’t put your best overall lineup on the floor on any given night, there’s something wrong with the roster.

Now, the Wesley Matthews pick-up seems to be a lot more appealing to Miami’s needs. He’s an ideal 3 and D guy, that can guard opposing wings and guards. And most importantly, he complements Miami’s young and evolving offensive talents.

Some may argue that obviously you take the guy that can average 20 a night, but ultimately, I believe there’s a chance you can get that from Herro next season. Instead, this 20 point per game scorer will have a defensive co-pilot helping him out every step of the way.

Although I’m discussing the better pick-up, Miami could potentially end up getting both.

But if, for some reason, only one could get acquired, I’d probably go with Wesley Matthews. I’m probably a small percentage of people that think that, but I believe in best fit instead of best player, unless you’re talking about a total superstar.

We will see how this all plays out, since there’s a good chance Miami’s roster will look a little different next season.

Gabe Vincent: Possibly The Next Man Up

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One thing about the Miami Heat is that they don’t lack an ounce of shooting. But luckily in today’s NBA, there can never be too many shooters on a roster.

Something I’ve mentioned as of late is that depth will be huge this upcoming season, for many different reasons. And having Gabe Vincent at the end of the bench is more than ideal.

In the G-League this past year, Vincent averaged 23.7 points, while knocking down 4.4 threes a game.

Shooting is the first thing that sticks out in his game, since he’s not afraid to put shots up. His confidence is clear when on the floor, since he came out firing in the first game he played for the Miami Heat.

He checked in when Miami faced the Los Angeles Clippers back in February, and hit three triples right when he got out there. Although it can be streaky at times, it’s always good to have a shot maker like him on the roster.

He’s also an underrated attacker, which is what he showed in some of the regular season bubble games. Although he had limited minutes and didn’t jump out in the stat sheet, he made some intriguing plays offensively that showed he can get some bench minutes if need be.

He also won the G-League Most Improved Player Award this past season, and he seems eager to continue to improve and round out the rest of his game.

While I can point out some things that Gabe may need to tweak to get minutes in this league, there’s no way of actually knowing until he gets some minutes this next season. One of the reasons he didn’t stick out in most of the games he has played, seems to be due to a certain level of comfort. Some guys like Tyler Herro are able to blend in quick, while others need some time to get ready.

Duncan Robinson took a year to prepare in the G-League, and look where he is now. Vincent is also about the same age as Duncan was when he went through this process.

It’s definitely not insane to think that Vincent can potentially get playing time next season, especially since there’s a good chance Spo goes deeper into his bench. Some of it may be predicated on who Miami drafts, since if they draft a point guard, it’ll be clear they aren’t planning on his development.

Miami always enjoys grabbing un-drafted players who have something to prove, and it’s obvious that Gabe Vincent is determined to prove himself.

This is Bam Adebayo’s Team, No Matter Who Miami Acquires

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Due to all of the trade talks over the past few weeks involving the Miami Heat, it’s clear that a number one option is what they’re looking to acquire. But I believe that guy will ultimately be the second option.

Bam Adebayo is heading into his fourth season in the NBA, after an intriguing third season which caught the eye of many people around the league.

The difference between his breakout and other players, is that he did that without even reaching half of his potential.

Looking at the outstanding third season from Jayson Tatum, where he averaged 23 points a game, it’s obvious that he’s an evolving star in this league. But when you begin to evaluate him, there’s not many categories that you can say he hasn’t reached his potential.

Bam Adebayo is clearly a top defender in this league, but offensively is where all of the potential is waiting to be reached. That all begins with confidence, because once Bam actually realizes he can be a number one option for this team, that is when he will flourish.

I continue to bring up that closeout game in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, where he previewed what he’s capable of doing in this league as an offensive threat. And unfortunately, an injury in the Finals didn’t allow him to perform at the level he knows he can play at.

But now we are heading into yet another regular season, where there’s uncertainty if Miami’s roster will look the same, or if a superstar will be headlining it. But even if a James Harden or Giannis Antetokounmpo took their talents to South Beach, I believe Bam will still end up being the primary offensive option.

I’m not so sure it’ll be this upcoming season where he’ll be the number one option, but I do think we see an even bigger leap than what we saw in year three. This ultimately means that he will be the number one option for Miami the following year, and possibly a top 10 talent in the league.

Now, obviously this is a lot of expectations to live up to, but the only reason people say it is because he can absolutely do it.

And when I say he will breakout, it doesn’t just mean improving his points per game, which he definitely could. But what I actually mean is that he will continue to be the most impactful player on the floor, due to his offensive gravity from his passing and ball handling strengths.

A jump shot though would be pretty ideal for him to make an even bigger leap, but I’m not sure it’s as necessary as many think. Of course a consistent mid range jumper changes everything for Bam, but I think increased opportunities of attacking the basket helps him even more.

This Heat team relied heavily on three point shooting all season, which they should, but if the opposing defense has to worry about a weapon like Bam on offense, it gives their shooting a huge boost.

But once again, the specifics don’t truly matter, since it’s obvious that he will be ready to continue to expand his game by opening night.

This is Bam’s year. This is Bam’s team. This is Bam’s franchise.

It’s time to showcase that potential, but truly there is no potential limit to Bam Adebayo in this league.

Some Takeaways from Adam Simon Press Conference on Draft

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Adam Simon spoke with media this afternoon, to talk about the NBA draft on Wednesday.

He started off talking about the challenges of understanding talent since a lot of stuff is virtual, which he said “Something is better than nothing.”

He also spoke about the depth of this NBA draft, which favors Miami since they have the 20th pick. He said, “We feel good about the players we have studied.”

And without mentioning specific players that they are interested in or worked out, he gave some comments that kind of tell you which way they’re looking to go.

For one, he talked about some guys bodies being improved majorly during the layoff, since they haven’t seen a lot of these players since March. And that comment makes you think about center Vernon Carey Jr, since he’s lost about 30 pounds since the end of last season.

He also made some comments about things that I’ve been talking about for a while now, when referring to Miami’s possible draft selections.

I’ve been saying for a while now that Miami will not draft a player that needs to be developed majorly. There are many guys in this draft that are already polished, both through their games and bodies, which will make this pick a lot easier for Miami.

He also pointed out that they’re focused on guys who are two-way players, since shooting doesn’t matter if they can’t defend. That is why I’ve mentioned the name Ashton Hagans for quite a while now, since Miami is the type of team to make that selection.

And when discussing guys always trying to impress teams by shooting the three ball, he mentioned that he would rather players play to their strengths, especially big men. He mentioned the word “versatility,” quite a lot, but not in the sense of Bam Adebayo, since he said he’s just “unique.”

There are quite a few things to take from this press conference, and it mainly involves Miami making a pick that best fits them, since that is what they will do no matter what on Wednesday night.

Caron Butler Added To Heat Coaching Staff

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Caron Butler has joined the Miami Miami as an assistant coach, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. The former Heat forward was selected 10th overall in the 2002 draft after his collegiate career at Connecticut. He earned All-Rookie first team with averages of 15.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game in 78 starts.

Butler was packaged in a deal, along with Brian Grant and Lamar Odom, to the Los Angeles Lakers for Shaquille O’Neal in 2004. He would go on to play for the Lakers, Wizards, Mavericks, Clippers, Bucks, Thunder, Pistons and Kings before his retirement in 2018.

He was a 2-time All-Star with the Wizards in 2007 and 2008. He won a championship as a member of the Dallas Mavericks despite not playing after January. His season was ended by a ruptured right patellar tendon.

Butler was always a fan favorite despite his short stint in Miami. His on-court play fit perfectly in the Heat’s system. He was also influential to Dwyane Wade, the best player in the franchise’s history.

The Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman shared some of Butler’s thoughts about beginning his coaching career. Tough Juice, as he is affectionately known, was also congratulated former teammate turned part-time Heat cheerleader Kendrick Perkins.

 

Miami needed to add a new member to the staff after Dan Craig became an assistant for the L.A. Clippers. Butler will join Erik Spoelstra, Chris Quinn, Malik Allen, Anthony Carter and Octavio De La Grana on the bench.

There were some thoughts about captain Udonis Haslem taking on that role. However, Haslem announced that he would be returning for his 18th season with the team on a one-year $2.5 million contract. Buy shirt in his honor.

 

Royal A. Shepherd (@RoyalAShepherd) has written for several major newspapers, including the Tallahassee Democrat and the Augusta Chronicle, and now contributes to Five Reasons Sports.

Miami’s Earned Their Respect, But It’s Still Not Given

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It’s pretty obvious that the Miami Heat never get the respect that they deserve, even if it’s earned.

A fluke postseason run or not as talented as other teams in the East.

That seems to be the consensus, since everybody in the East is getting better by the second according to national media. Apart from the fact that Miami can literally go after any free agent or trade piece they want, they’ve earned their respect with this group.

But according to many, Giannis will be coming back with a purpose, the Boston Celtics are ready to bounce back from that Conference Finals loss, and most of all the Brooklyn Nets are real contenders.

Those three teams do have something in common though, which is not proving a thing.

For starters, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a spectacular player, but it’s obvious that his lack of supporting cast will hold him back in the playoffs. And by the way, Miami beat them in five games.

The Boston Celtics have a ton of talent, and they’re looking to make some moves to improve that as well. But not only did Miami outplay Boston, more importantly they out-coached them. And when they thought their third year emerging star Jayson Tatum would step up to send his team to the NBA finals, Bam Adebayo did that instead.

And now to the Brooklyn Nets. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving leading the way seems to entice people heavily, which is why many have them as the favorite to come out of the East.

Two guys coming off of injury. Two guys who’ve never played together. Two guys who may not fit.

They have an immense amount of talent, but how does a team that hasn’t stepped on the floor together get more credibility than the team that was in the NBA Finals?

Once again, it’s expected when you play for the Miami Heat, and they like it that way. Being doubted, even after making it to the Finals, is what will drive them even more.

You can put your money on talent, but I’d put my money on the organizational advantage, coaching advantage, and work ethic advantage any day of the week.

 

 

Miami Heat Draft Notes from Media Session Day 2

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Today’s media session with NBA draft prospects included more players in the Miami Heat’s range.

The name that surrounded the Miami Heat the most was Precious Achiuwa, since he mentioned that he worked out with them.

Precious definitely is a very intriguing prospect for Miami, but I’m not so sure he will still be on the board by pick 20.

And although I think he will be a very solid NBA player, I just don’t believe he’s the best fit for the Heat. A power forward should not be the route Miami will lean towards, since a true center will be more enticing. But obviously they know he’s talented since they worked him out, so we will see what happens.

Theo Maledon, Tyrese Maxey, and Devin Vassell did not work out with the Miami Heat. Vassell should be a lottery pick, so that makes sense, but it was interesting to hear that Theo or Tyrese didn’t. Tyrese only worked out with one NBA team thus far, which was the New Orleans Pelicans. And I’ve discussed that Theo won’t be a player Miami would go after since he’s more of a project than an immediate fit.

Jalen Smith and Patrick Williams are two guys that have been discussed as possibilities as well, but neither would disclose the teams that they worked out for.

Jalen Smith talked about his intriguing shooting abilities, which includes more than just the standstill jump shot.

Patrick Williams gave a very Miami Heat type quote, when he mentioned he wants to help a team more than achieving personal accolades. He also said that his biggest strength is his versatility, and mentioned “I think you saw it a lot with the Miami Heat in the finals since they played with all guards.”

All of these guys will be considered if they’re still on the board at 20, even if they didn’t workout with Miami. And we will see which route Miami ultimately elects to go.

Some Miami Heat Draft Notes from Media Session Day 1

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There were a bunch of top picks in this NBA draft that spoke with media today about their games and different teams they have spoken with.

The one that stood out the most for the Miami Heat was Aaron Nesmith, since he mentioned Miami was one of the five teams that he had a workout with.

I do believe there’s a good chance that he will be selected earlier, since he is one of the best shooters in this draft. He continually mentioned his best attributes are shooting the three ball and his all around defensive abilities.

A 3 and D guard will definitely be on Miami’s radar, especially one with his type of talent.

Another guy that talked with media and could possibly fall to Miami is Saddiq Bey. I wrote about him back in June as a target for Miami, since I don’t believe there’s a better fit for their culture. He’s gritty, tough, and can also give Miami that 3 and D role.

He mentioned that he has no preference for a specific role, since he will do whatever a team wants him to do. And that pretty much sums up the Miami Heat’s situation exactly, since there are spots they could possibly plug him into.

And of course he had to give a very Miami Heat-esque answer when asked about his main priority upon arrival, which he responded “helping the team win.”

The last guy that spoke with media that Miami has a shot at was RJ Hampton.

In my opinion, a couple things stood out from his interview. For one, he is one of the most confident players in this draft. I believe his stock took a bit of a hit since he played overseas, which led to his scoring numbers taking a dip, but that shouldn’t be the case.

He mentioned the fact that he was a top 5 player coming out of high school, and the international route polished up his all around game. He was 19 years old playing against pros and played pretty well. As he said, some people are more worried about the “oohs and ahs,” but he just plays to get better.

Then he gave the Miami Heat quote of the day, saying when going overseas, you must be willing to “Get less of the hype and more of the work.”

The Miami Heat were not one of the teams that he worked out with though, but anything can happen in this very unique NBA draft.

It’s clear Miami has many options with this 20th pick, and I believe all three of these guys will be considered if available.