The Miami Heat drafted Bam Adebayo at No. 14 during the 2017 NBA Draft, and Heat Twitter had plenty to say about it.
With the fourteenth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat select…
Yes, although the majority of Heat Nation was hoping guard Malik Monk out of the University of Kentucky would fall right into president Pat Riley’s lap, a la Justise Winslow, the 19-year-old was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets at No. 11.
So instead, South Beach got Monk’s teammate, a 6-foot-10 forward who reportedly plays a physical game.
Now because both T.J. Leaf and Justin Jackson were still left on the board at the time, Heat Twitter started off a bit hesitant.
But after word of his workouts started to circulate…
…things changed.
#MOOD pic.twitter.com/qTx2NqfR3b
— Godfather Riley (@GodfatherRiley) June 23, 2017
Bam wouldn't of been my pick there but I like it. Great athlete and shot blocker, good on the glass, can score/playmake. Riley saw something
— James Is ON STRIKE (@ScriptsByJames) June 23, 2017
Okay I'm not mad anymore. Welcome to Miami.
— Spencer (@SpencerHNDRXX) June 23, 2017
Bam is actually a high upside pick. They took a guy nobody predicted. Went against the grain for a player they liked. 19 years old.
— Greg Sylvander (@GregSylvander) June 23, 2017
This Bam Adebayo also seems very polite. I will support him!
— Dos Minutos (@DosMinutos) June 23, 2017
Welcome to Miami, @Bam1of1 pic.twitter.com/6zlEu00qUu
— Christian Hernandez (@BoutDameTime) June 23, 2017
And the organization itself wasted no time in embracing the rookie.
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/878061664892997632
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/878077604884041729
Nor did the league.
https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/878078500330246145
As for Adebayo’s former coach? Better believe he is excited for the 19-year-old to show the NBA what he is made of.
The @MiamiHEAT are getting one of the BEST kids you will ever meet. Ecstatic for @Bam1of1 and his mother. pic.twitter.com/s9ioyIlpNc
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 23, 2017
So are the likes of Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker.
3 lottery. Congrats @Bam1of1. #BBN
— Book (@DevinBook) June 23, 2017
And the Heat’s own Hassan Whiteside.
Good we needed another player from North Carolina on the squad 💪🏾👀#NBADraft
— Hassan Whiteside (@youngwhiteside) June 23, 2017
But what did Adebayo himself have to say?
Next: Miami Heat select Bam Adebayo with the No. 14 pick in the NBA Draft
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