Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo’s defense is All-NBA award worthy

The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo has defense worthy of starting a Rookie All-Defensive Team Award.

Believe it or not, the Miami Heat, at least on paper, are a solid defensive team.

Despite the recent defensive lapse that led to dropping nine of their last 10 road games, Miami ranks in the top 10 in contesting shots (sixth) and recovering loose balls (third). A team of defensive chameleons bolstered by Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Hassan Whiteside, the Heat round off the league’s top 10 in defensive rating (104.4).

On the other side of the ball, nine of the Heat’s players are averaging at least 10 points per game. When they avoid being plagued by unwinnable third quarters, the Heat can run with just about any team in the association.

As the saying goes, “defense wins championships,” but it also wins awards. However, while plenty of rookies have the raw offensive stats that get an All-Rookie team nod, Miami’s Bam Adebayo boasts a resume that makes a case for an exclusively Rookie All-Defensive team.

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The current, singular rendition of the All-Rookie team includes defensive contributors to a mild extent. In recent history Marcus Smart, Steven Adams and Miami’s own Winslow were included at least in part to their defensive awareness.

But the trend of awarding pure numbers skews the winners to the offensive game, making rookies like this year’s Donovan Mitchell and Ben Simmons shoe-ins.

Unlike on offensive, judging players on defense is a lot like driving the New Jersey Turnpike. Drive far enough north and the stench of burnt rubber and sulfur invades your nostrils, followed by the disturbing realization: “Yep, I’m in New Jersey.”

In other words, good, individual defense just hits you when you see (or smell) it. Last season for example, the Houston Rockets’ Patrick Beverly earned a first team selection, even though he wasn’t a steals leader, blocks leader, or top candidate in defensive box plus/minus.

For Adebayo however, the selection would be made of equal parts eye test and numbers.

Without the ball in his hand, Adebayo has the footwork to keep him afloat guarding the league’s best. Seriously, watch him guard Steph Curry, LeBron James and Jimmy Butler.

Adebayo knows how to beat his man to his spot, and avoid needless fouls. In 60 games, he’s only surpassed three fouls 11 times and has yet to foul out.

"“Bam, for such a young player, is becoming a technician with his discipline and technique and studying players,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said last February. “He’ll definitely be able to build on that.”"

His clinical awareness manifests itself in the second-best defensive rating on the Heat, among players averaging at least 10 minutes per game. Add in that Adebayo is top 10 in blocks and rebounds per game among rookies and his utility is further recognized.

Though he doesn’t carry the same clout and recognition as Whiteside, Adebayo is steadily anchoring himself as a defensive juggernaut. Acknowledging defensive tenacity could serve to bring value to rookies who don’t necessarily light up the box score.

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But regardless of what awards he wins this year, Adebayo has more than proven his worth in a Heat jersey.