If Bam Adebayo is still struggling with an injury lingering from the preseason, it's best if he sits out until he's 100 percent. As less than ideal as that may seem, especially as he battles to build chemistry with Giannis Antetokounmpo, it may be the only chance the Miami Heat has of breaking out of their early-season slump.
Over the last few days, there's been growing speculation that Bam could still be battling a groin injury that forced him to miss the last three preseason games for the Heat. Neither the Heat nor Bam has entertained this theory, but he's been known as a player who often battles through bumps and bruises (and won't complain about it) until they are no longer manageable.
And the on-the-court evidence may reinforce this idea.
Bam Adebayo hasn't looked like himself so far this season
Bam hasn't moved like his usual self at various times through the first four games of the season, often looks hesitant with the ball in his hands, and is in the midst of his worst cold stretch over the last few years. Maybe Bam is just struggling more than expected as he tries to figure out how to mesh with Giannis.
But what if it's more than that? What if Bam is really hurt, or even just limited by an injury, and doesn't want to use it as an excuse or miss time right now?
There are a lot of "ifs" in this theory, but it wouldn't be that shocking if Bam, at the very least, is being somewhat limited by his groin injury. Or maybe the training staff told him to be "careful" with his groin for a few weeks. In Bam's mind, being available and playing at 60-70 percent is better than sitting out for a month or two, especially at the start of the season.
While that may make sense, the Heat might be better off if Bam sat out until he was healthier (assuming this is an issue). Statistically, the Heat have been a disaster with Giannis and Bam so far.
The two-man lineup of Giannis and Bam has played 71 minutes so far this season. During that time on the floor, they have a plus/minus of -11.3. Per 100 possessions, the Heat's dynamic duo has a -31.6 net rating. The sample size sure is small, but it certainly hasn't been great.
Individually, Bam is averaging 12 points and seven rebounds on 17 percent shooting from the 3-point range and 40 percent from the field overall. All of those numbers are unlike Bam. There has to be something more happening than meets the eye. And it could very well be this injury from the preseason.
The Heat need Bam to play better or sit out until he's healthy
As both have struggled to find their footing together, the Heat as a whole has looked a lot better when their minutes are staggered. That's a sign that there are fit issues right now for both Giannis and Bam.
But if Bam is indeed hurt and trying to play through injury, it's only going to skew those numbers even more. And I'd imagine that's exactly what we're seeing through these first four games. Again, if Bam is indeed hurt (and that's a big if), it may be better off if he just sits out until he's healthier.
It's admirable that he's trying to play through injury, but the way he can help the Heat the most may be to get healthy.
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