Miami Heat: 3 goals for Bam Adebayo come 2018-19

First Option Off The Bench

Adebayo is now climbing up the ladder as one of the best offensive options off the bench for the Heat, something that fans didn’t dare fathom when he was first drafted.

Just this past year, he slowly earned the trust of head coach Erik Spoelstra to be named a starter mid-season. A necessary call in the absence of Whiteside sure, but a nimble one once he stepped on the floor nevertheless. This kid is special and the fact that Heat fans are now ecstatic over their young roster has factual backbone to it.

With turmoil between Whiteside and the Heat, Adebayo can now take advantage of an iffy situation if it’s not resolved. All signs point to Whiteside working on a comeback, but after a strong outing two years ago, averaging 3.7 blocks per game, his work ethic isn’t what it used to be.

His injuries just didn’t help his case either, even after his return to the playoffs.

Regardless of a declining year, Whiteside is still is a double-double machine, with 14.0 points and 11.4 rebounds a game. If this year demonstrates a similar showing, Adebayo might end up with more playing time. Something that will increase his chances as first option off the bench.

Adebayo already started to prove his worth during his rookie year.

In fact, no one predicted how useful he was actually going to be. He averaged 6.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest in 19 minutes of action. Compared to Whiteside’s 25 minutes, he can essentially challenge Whiteside for the starting position one day, if his production increases.

For now he is a key backup center/forward with insane upside, that will make the NBA take notice.