Bam Adebayo appears to be having somewhat of an identity crisis for the Miami Heat, as the team continues to spiral downward in the Eastern Conference standings.
After another disappointing loss, this time at the hands of the Toronto Raptors, the Heat have now dropped nine of their last 11 games. A team that was, at one point, sitting as a top 3 seed in the East standings now finds itself a half-game out of 10th.
But, again, the biggest issue that the Heat may be facing is that Bam is in a pretty head-scratching funk over the last few games.
Bam's struggles go beyond the box score
Over the last four games, Bam is averaging 12 points and 12 rebounds on just 38 percent shooting from the field. He's looked lost and hesitant on the offensive end of the floor for Miami, and with all the injuries that they're currently facing, it hasn't been pretty overall for the team on that end of the floor.
What makes Bam's struggles even more frustrating for the team is that this is the moment when you'd think their stars would step up the most. With Tyler Herro currently out because of an injury, and important role players fluctuating in and out of the lineup because of injuries as well, Bam has shied away more than he's taken the lead.
And sure, Bam is still excellent on the defensive end of the floor. In fact, without him on the roster, this team would be even more dead in the water than they currently are. Though it's hard to imagine how much worse it can get than losing nine of their last 11 games.
But the team is struggling mightily on the offensive side of things, and Bam not being able to step up in that role has certainly made things much more difficult for the Heat.
Right now, there are many more questions than answers for the Heat, and it's hard to imagine how things are going to tangibly change for this franchise this season. It's quite unfortunate because of how great a start the Heat were on to begin the year.
Their recent struggles have put a dark cloud on this season and, perhaps most unfortunately, this roster.
Whether the Heat wants to admit it or not, the questions should begin with their star players. For the Heat, in this season, that's Bam. And he's yet to answer the call.