The aftershocks of Bam Adebayo's historic 83-point performance are still being felt across the league. However, if one thing has become clear for the Miami Heat, it's that this team (and more specifically Bam) may be primed for a championship run in the near future. The only thing missing is another star player.
If there were any hesitations from Pat Riley about whether this roster was strong enough to compete for a championship with the addition of another star, Bam's epic performance should put all those concerns to rest.
With that type of outing, it's obvious that Bam has the capabilities of being a worthy No. 2 option on a championship team. It's getting that greatness out of him on a consistent basis that is the only hurdle. And that might all start with getting the right co-star to play next to him.
The Heat need to get Bam another star teammate
The Heat have a good, not great, roster. As good as Bam and Tyler Herro may be individually, and sometimes as a duo, this team needs another star player. Preferably, the Heat need another alpha star. But, at this point, the Heat should be willing to take a gamble on whatever type of star player they can get.
And this Bam performance should only make the Heat more aggressive heading into the offseason.
Bam is a great player. He's not just an elite defender. He has the capability, if needed, to be an elite offensive player too. That doesn't mean Bam should be expected to score 30-plus every night, but the fact that he does have it in him should give the Heat confidence in his ability to co-star a championship team in the future.
While that may have already been a feeling inside the front office, this 83-point performance should change things. It should add urgency. It should feed confidence. It should prompt a big move, perhaps even a risk, this offseason.
Something might've just shifted for the Heat's future
As the summer quickly approaches, the front office needs to operate with that level of urgency. At the peak of his prime, the Heat can't afford to waste another year of Bam. This performance was not necessarily the moment of realization for this front office because they already knew how great Bam is.
However, it could be the wake-up call that they needed. A nudge. A poke. A reminder that Bam is a great player, and if the Heat can add another great player next to him, they'll have the potential to do special things.
Miami's future might've just changed on a dime. On one night. With one performance. At least, it should.
No more Giannis Antetokounmpo or bust this summer. The Heat needs to get a star. Any star. There is a need to improve this roster. A move. Any move.
Bam has it in him. He's that guy. He's him. He's ready. The coaching staff knows this. The fans know this. The rest of the league might've just learned this. Even the Heat's front office knows this.
It's about time they start acting like it.