Did Bam Adebayo’s Affinity Influence His Previous Passive Nature?

Bam Adebayo‘s newfound aggression has been the talk of the Miami Heat universe for the past six games. While his lack thereof has been the chatter for most of his professional days.

For many, the focus will be placed on what finally clicked, but let us explore why the former All-Star may have been passive to begin with.

The normal stock theories range from Adebayo being afraid to break the offense, to needed growth, to simply being too naturally nice to impose his will with the basketball was in his hands. The type of nice that helps opposing players off the floor and laughs with friends in other jerseys during dead balls.

Yes, all things that sound like a very anti-Pat Riley mentality. Still, no one could question Adebayo’s heart or overall effort.

He was never quite at the Ben Simmons level of reluctance. And the criticism never put him in a more flight than fight mindset.

However, there is no denying that Adebayo would often finesse his way out of dunks or have spells where he looked allergic to turning to the hoop. So much so, that the 2020-21 season ended with players stepping back to give him the 15-footer—knowing that he would not take it or drive with a vengeance.

If the narrative sounds familiar, it is because the NBA has been littered with skilled players who had the tools to take over games whenever they wanted to but for some reason, never quite kept their foot on the gas.

Just to name a few, you have Baron Davis, at points, Rasheed Wallace, and Lamar Odom. They were all excellent players, but also ones that could be a bit inconsistent at times with their aggression.

Could an ex-Miami Heat player have contributed to Bam Adebayo’s old offensive temperament? Or it could all just be one huge coincidence, right?

According to Adebayo, one of those passive players always caught his eye:

"“I watched Lamar Odom,” Adebayo told the Knuckleheads Podcast. “That’s who I really wanted to be like.I wanted to be like Lamar. He was so versatile and he had that swagger to him.When he would (imitates crossover sound). He had all of that to him at 6’8, 6’9. So, looking at it now.It’s like dog, I really wanted to be like Lamar Odom.”"

An affinity for Odom makes all of the sense in the world when thinking about Adebayo on the offensive end.

From the way they both attack the boards in order to secure the ball and spring the break, to the high dribble that turns slightly crouched when ready to burst downhill. Their most glaring similarity, though, is their propensity for getting their teammates involved.

Initiating the offense from the top of the key to the elbow. Hitting cutters with precision and curating easy baskets.

Both quintessential big guards with midrange jumpers that seem more automatic than hovering around the mid to high 30s. It’s a style that often fills the stat sheet, but is constantly criticized for its drifts in aggression.

Odom never achieved his superstar potential, on the court, but he was key to Olympic gold and two championships. With a medal already in hand, it should only be a matter of time before Adebayo’s newly unlocked offensive passion blossoms into rings and a solidified tier above his peers.