The Miami Heat struck gold with Bam Adebayo.
In the past, the Miami Heat haven’t been very successful in the NBA Draft. Between 2004-2014, there hasn’t been a single player who is either still with the Heat or had made a significant impact.
Who was the last person to do so? None other than Dwyane Wade himself, the greatest draft pick in the organization’s 30 years, who was drafted with the No. 5 overall pick in 2003. The impact was made right away, as Wade averaged 16.2 points per game during his rookie season.
The guard out of Marquette sealed his legacy with the Heat. Three NBA championships later, it’s all a part of the past. The post-Wade era has Miami 64-58, in the last season and a half.
There has been only one other player drafted by the Heat higher than Wade: Michael Beasley in 2008, with the second overall pick. Beasley spent three seasons in three stints with the Heat, finding himself on ten different teams and taking a couple trips overseas.
And he’s not the only bust. There has been a long stretch of Miami Heat draft picks not panning out. But recently, it seems like Miami’s poor drafting has turned a new page. The last three players to be drafted by the Heat not only are still with the team, but playing vital roles.
The 2015 Draft: Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson
In 2015, the Heat used the tenth pick to acquire Justise Winslow. And while the former Duke Blue Devil has struggled with injuries, he continues to show upside. Winslow’s defense is next to none. One-on-one, it’s hard to score against Winslow, let alone get around him. In head coach Erik Spoelstra’s system, he’s even better.
Averaging 6.6 points per game this season, he’s not a heavy shooter. But that doesn’t mean he can’t be. There have been some shining moments in his offense. Against Brooklyn, in one of his last few games played, Winslow racked up 15 points. Even more impressive was his efficiency that night; the forward went 5-of-6 from the field, and a perfect 4-of-4 from downtown.
In the second round of the 2015 draft, Miami picked up Josh Richardson. The 6-foot-6 swingman has made the right improvements, year after year. Averaging 21.3 minutes in his rookie season, Richardson came away with 6.6 points per game on 45 percent shooting.
Not only have we seen tremendous upside from the former Tennessee Volunteer this season, but it’s been even more impressive recently. In the last 10 games, Richardson has averaged 18.5 points and 4.2 assists.
Struggling with injuries, the Heat have needed him to step up and he has answered the call. With the game on the line versus Utah, it was Richardson who made the game-winning play in the final seconds. Even as he struggled Tuesday night at Toronto, he found ways to contribute with six rebounds and three blocks.
The 2017 Draft: Bam Adebayo
With no picks in the 2016 draft, the Heat had to wait to find more raw talent in 2017. And while it’s still early, they might have gotten it right, drafting Bam Adebayo at No. 14.
Before the season started, many thought Adebayo would see very limited minutes behind Hassan Whiteside and Kelly Olynyk. Due to some injuries, that was not the case. In December, Adebayo scored double-digits in five of a seven game span. And who can forget the rookies’ 19-point performance (shooting a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor in just 18 minutes) at Cleveland?
Adebayo has already become a great defender too. With him, Hassan Whiteside and Kelly Olynyk, there’s no reason anyone should be scoring in the paint versus Miami. In the last 10 games, the rookie has stepped up his production with 6.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
What we saw Tuesday night at Toronto has every Miami Heat fan grinning ear to ear. Adebayo showed Heat Nation just how good he could be. With 16 points, he was delivering in the paint, as well as using his jump shot.
Shooting 57 percent, he showed his efficiency once again. And in a great team-rebounding night, the rookie came away with 15 massive boards. He also had three assists and five blocks, making for a great all-around performance.
Next: Miami Heat: Wayne Ellington hits game winner of the Raptors, 90-89
While there’s some exciting young talent in Miami, there may be none as exciting as Bam Adebayo.