Bam Adebayo has quieted many critics across the league with his play to start the season. It's still early, but it does appear as if Bam has made that final leap on the offensive end of the floor to emerge as an all-around NBA superstar.
Answering many of the questions surrounding his game offensively, by being more aggressive and successfully developing a 3-point shot, there are very few holes in Bam's two-way game with the way he's playing of late.
Not only is Bam one of the best (and most versatile) defensive players in the game, but it also appears that he's beginning to emerge as a dominant offensive player, too. Averaging 22 points, nine rebounds, and three assists per game, Bam is racing off to a career-best start to the year.
The real difference for Bam this season is his overall aggressiveness. It's what has begun to set him apart from the rest of the offensive players at his position. Heading into the Heat's game against the Denver Nuggets, Bam is leading all centers in the league in 3-point makes.
He's averaging a little more than two made per game and is shooting them at a strong 36 percent clip. It's one of the bigger jumps that we've seen from any players at the position this season. It's not just the percentage, but the volume at which Bam is operating.
If there's one clear adjustment that Bam has made to his game, it's that he's been much more aggressive in shooting the ball. So far, the success has been evident. Another sign (aside from 3-point makes) that Bam is being more aggressive this season than in years past is the simple fact that he's attempting roughly three more shot attempts per game.
There have been times in the past when Heat fans have just wanted Bam to be more aggressive (and selfish) with the ball in his hands. He's doing that so far this season, and it's hard to argue with the results.
The real test for Bam Adebayo
Of course, the real litmus test for Bam will come once Tyler Herro returns to the lineup. At that point, will his volume go back down? Will he become less aggressive and decide to play off Herro more? Erik Spoelstra's new offense doesn't really lend itself to Bam playing off Herro anymore, but it will be interesting to watch it all unfold.
If the Heat are going to be the surprise team over the course of the entire season that they've been through the first couple of weeks, they're going to need Bam to keep playing at this aggressively high level.
That's why the next few weeks will be increasingly telling. With Herro's return roughly two weeks away, all eyes will continue to be squarely on Bam. He's had a great start to this season. The question is, can he continue to silence his doubters and keep this (aggressive) level of play up for the entire year?
Because, if he can, it will completely alter the conversation surrounding his label as a star player in the league.