Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo Will Be MVP Candidate – The Aggression Is In There
In arguably the best offensive stretch of his career, Adebayo’s run in January included a career-high 41 points, in a 124-128 road loss against the Brooklyn Nets.
Why You Know It’s There
Given this performance was without Butler, who was dealing with the league’s Health and Safety protocols, a dominating effort against the Nets — with Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving all in the lineup — shouldn’t be discounted.
With the continued development of Bam’s scoring, the possibilities are endless with Lowry’s playmaking aptitude. As one of the best finishers in the league, having a creativeness about himself too, that will lead to more touches.
Once he receives the pass, the shot-quality and decision making will factor-in but hopefully, it’s at a higher volume.
- In 18 games, Adeabyo averaged 23.5 points on 65.5 percent shooting whenever he attempted a minimum of 15 field-goals.
A point of discussion in recent years has been whether Adebayo should expand his game as a perimeter shooter. While converting on 7-44 attempts from beyond the arc for his career, it isn’t likely for Bam to have the green light anytime soon, but he’s also too skilled at the basket to shy from what he does best.
"“I want Bam to attack the rim because nobody can stay in front of him,” Butler said during a late-season loss last season. Nobody can stay in front of him. Go. You’re going to get fouled or you’re going to dunk on somebody. That’s cool. I love him shooting midrange jump shots too, but he lets people off the hook. Play bully ball. I like bully ball.”"
The Heat will need all three of their stars to carry the bulk of the scoring load next season. However, with Butler turning 32 next month and Lowry turning 36 in April, it’s necessary for Miami’s veteran stars to defer to Adebayo for scoring.
Given the right opportunities, he’ll showcase it immediately.