Following Friday night’s Team USA scrimmage, Bam Adebayo was cut from the senior team, a gut-wrenching blow for Miami Heat fans hoping to see the big man compete in China at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Bam Adebayo‘s days in Las Vegas training with Team USA have come to end less than one week since camp opened on August 5th. The Miami Heat center, who posted three points, two rebounds, and one assist in 10 minutes of play during the blue vs white scrimmage, didn’t show enough to earn himself a spot on this years Team USA roster. He did however walk away with the assist of the night in the clip below.
Slick dishes courtesy of Derrick White & Bam Adebayo. Who had the better assist in the #USABMNT Blue-White game? #StateFarmAssists pic.twitter.com/E3KVxFDByT
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 10, 2019
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, he was sent on his way and released from the team following the scrimmage:
USA Basketball cut Thaddeus Young and Bam Adebayo after their scrimmage tonight. Derrick White and Marvin Bagley have been promoted to senior team as training continues next week.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) August 10, 2019
When Adebayo’s name was listed as the final member of the senior team roster heading into training camp, many deemed his chances of wearing a USA jersey in China slim, at best. However, the opportunity to showcase his skills among the league’s finest — well, maybe the second tier of finest considering the defection list — should be viewed as a positive. The experience to put the iconic USA basketball uniform on, may it be only practice, and learn from Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich, is one that shouldn’t go overlooked.
Personally, I’d rather Adebayo come back down to Bayside and hone his craft, rather than travel 8,000 miles across the world and “Adam Morrison” his way to a possible gold medal. That means sit the bench. Ride the pine. Warm the seats. Instead, Adebayo has the time to work with newcomers Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, two players poised to bring Miami back to contention, and acclimate himself into the lead center role.
Perhaps the biggest factor disregarded by many when it comes to players competing for Team USA is scheduling. The FIBA Basketball World Cup is slated to run from late August through mid-September, while NBA training camps usually open during the third week of September. Yes, Adebayo is only 22 years old and shouldn’t need rest at this point of his career, but the NBA season is long and grueling, health is everything for a franchise.
Whether or not Bam Adebayo made Team USA, the experience gained in a the short five days spent in Las Vegas can not be emulated. He showed up and performed, giving prominent coaches and players a little taste of the potential he posses. He may not be traveling to China, but staying home can prove to be just as rewarding as a gold medal. And Miami Heat fans should be excited about that.