Bam Adebayo must embrace change for Heat to maximize Kel'el Ware

The Miami Heat organization navigated one of the most difficult periods in its history, characterized by mediocrity and a disappointing departure from star forward Jimmy Butler. If there's any reason to be optimistic about Miami's ability to recover from Butler's departure and recent on-court challenges, it lies in the resurgence of All-Star center-forward Bam Adebayo. Throughout a significant portion of the 2024-25 season, Adebayo struggled to regain the form that earned him three All-Star selections and five All-Defensive Team honors. The failure to perform at the expected level this season raised considerable concerns.

Although, with Butler no longer in Miami, Adebayo has been able to quiet the noise, and fully emerge as the leader of the team. Currently, Bam has demonstrated a remarkable turnaround in his performance and reaffirmed his reputation as one of the most talented big men in the NBA. While Adebayo is renowned for his defensive prowess, he has also made strides in an area of his game that had previously gone underutilized, which deserves recognition.

One of the few bright spots in the Heat's 2024-25 season has been the performance of rookie center Kel’el Ware. After beginning the season with limited playing time, Ware has established himself as a key component in head coach Erik Spoelstra’s rotation.

A key factor in Adebayo's recent improvement has been the presence of Ware. While acquiring the rookie has proven advantageous for Miami's roster, Adebayo must embrace the positive changes in team dynamics for Ware to continue fully thriving alongside him.

No more small-ball

The achievements of NBA teams featuring dominant centers highlight the significance of size in the sport. A combination of size and skill enables players to dominate the boards and control the tempo of games. In contrast, the Heat have consistently resisted this approach, opting for small-ball lineups that render them susceptible to larger, more physically imposing opponents, until that changed.

When it was time for the 2024 NBA Draft, Miami's front office recognized the need to alleviate some of the team's glaring issues. They focused on size and talent, and how the organization could support the team's best players, but also improve role-wise. This is especially true for the positions of point guard, small forward, and center.

Despite his remarkable talent in overcoming the challenges of playing as an undersized center, Adebayo needed another dynamic teammate to back him up. In July of last year, the Heat signed Ware after selecting him 15th overall in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft from Indiana University. The talk of Adebayo playing together with the rookie had been a topic of conversation since he was drafted.

Since Adebayo and Ware have played together a lot more recently, they quickly have become a fan-favorite duo, as fans and coaching staff alike have seen their chemistry on the court, but also the ability to make each other better players.

The Heat's difficulties with rebounding and second-chance points necessitate a remedy. By playing Ware and Adebayo together on the court, the team can aim to enhance its interior defense, improve rebounding efforts, and continue to unlock Bam’s offensive capabilities.

Kel'el Ware unlocks another layer of Adebayo's basketball prowess

Ware as a rookie represents the type of physical presence the Miami Heat have lacked. At 7 feet tall with a wingspan of 7’5, he has significantly improved the Heat's offensive game by providing rim protection and rebounding capabilities. Despite limited minutes this season, Ware's performance suggests significant potential.

Miami can no longer overlook the clear evidence. Ware has played a crucial role in elevating Adebayo’s offensive game. Bam excels when he can leverage his mid-range shooting, passing abilities, and face-up skills. However, as the primary center for the Heat, Adebayo is often required to expend energy contending with larger opponents in the paint.

To evolve in today's NBA, players must know how to play different roles and become versatile. Miami's strategy to maximize Ware meant Adebayo playing the power forward role instead of the center position he's used to. Adebayo's ongoing offensive revival commenced in mid-January, coinciding with head coach Erik Spoelstra's decision to insert Ware into the starting center position and transition Adebayo to power forward.

Being a center-forward allows Adebayo to encounter matchups that better align with his skill set. He can operate in an open space, take advantage of mismatches, and act as a secondary facilitator from the high post. This strategic adjustment has created a more dynamic offensive scheme for Miami while conserving Adebayo’s energy for defensive responsibilities. It has allowed him to operate in open spaces, take advantage of mismatches, and act as a secondary facilitator from the high post.

Miami's 128-107 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 19, 2025, marked the first time Adebayo and Ware shared extended playing time. Since then, Adebayo has averaged 22.4 points per game, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, with shooting percentages of 53.4% overall and 41.8% from beyond the arc. Although their on-court chemistry is still evolving, Adebayo has frequently capitalized on defensive collapses by driving to the basket and assisting Ware.

In the 46 games Ware has participated in during his first NBA season, he's averaging 8.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocked shots per game. Ware's impactful play has greatly enhanced Adebayo's offensive capabilities, making the Heat's offense more dynamic and efficient.

Spoelstra noted that the integration of both Adebayo and Ware into the lineup had been a gradual development throughout the season, with both players recently participating in end-of-quarter scenarios. Adebayo commented about Spoelstra's newfound confidence in the approach, stating that he finally "trusted the process."

Defensively, Adebayo has also shown marked improvement alongside Ware. Much like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who excels as a help defender, Adebayo is now able to switch on screens and guard opponents on the perimeter, while Ware remains positioned to protect the rim.

This dynamic has facilitated Adebayo's rebounding efforts, as he is no longer the sole player of size for the Heat to contend with in box-out situations. Miami ranks sixth in the league, securing an average of 34.1 defensive rebounds per game, with Adebayo leading the team with 7.4 rebounds. He has recorded 4 or more rebounds in 58 consecutive games.

Adebayo making significant strides as a scorer

There was no necessity to organize a search party for Adebayo’s missing jumper, nor was there any reason to worry about the potential long-term implications of his early-season offensive decline. The shooting difficulties experienced in November and December are now a distant memory.

For the past six weeks, tthe embodiment of Heat culture has been on an offensive surge showcasing his vintage prowess by scoring a season-high 34 points on 11-for-18 shooting, including three out of five from beyond the arc, against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.

Adebayo has been scoring at perhaps the highest level of his career recently. In March, he is averaging an impressive 26.2 points per game while shooting 54.8% from the field. On March 2, Adebayo recorded 30 points in an overtime defeat against the New York Knicks, with an impressive shooting performance where only four of his 16 attempts failed to find the basket.

A few days later, on Mar. 8, he contributed 22 points in a game against the Chicago Bulls, followed by a 23-point outing in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Mar. 10. Notably, Adebayo has delivered strong scoring performances in each of the few games in which Ware has participated this month.

Most importantly, beyond Ware's contributions, his presence has revitalized Adebayo, who has been experiencing a challenging offensive season. When both Ware and Adebayo are on the court together, Adebayo boasts an impressive shooting percentage of 62.4% from two-point range. Conversely, when Ware is not on the floor, Adebayo's shooting percentage drops to 52% within the arc. Furthermore, Adebayo's true shooting percentage with Ware rises to 67.4%, compared to 53.5% when Ware is absent.

The rookie has provided Adebayo with additional space to maneuver, significantly benefiting the Heat. The lineup consisting of Adebayo and Ware has altered the dynamics of Miami's offense, creating opportunities for other teammates on the court.

The contrast in Adebayo’s statistics before and after the lineup adjustment is remarkable:

▪ In the initial 40 games, before Ware's inclusion in the starting lineup, Adebayo averaged 15.7 points. In the subsequent 19 games (17 of which featured Ware as a starter), his average increased to 21.3 points per game.

▪ Adebayo managed to score at least 20 points only 10 times in his first 40 games. In the following 19 games, he has reached the 20-point threshold on 10 occasions and has recorded 18 or 19 points five additional times.

▪ During those first 40 games, Adebayo's shooting percentage stood at 45.4% overall, with 49.5% on two-point attempts and a mere 29.7% on catch-and-shoot opportunities. In the 19 games since he has improved to 55.1% from the field, 59.4% on two-point shots, and 53.2% on catch-and-shoot attempts.

While Adebayo acknowledges that Ware's presence has positively influenced his offensive performance, there are additional factors at play. This season, his overall statistics have declined, averaging 17.5 points per game with a shooting percentage of 49%. This decrease can be attributed to a slow start and his attempt to adapt to a new shooting strategy, as he has taken 154 3-point shots, converting only 31.2% of them, compared to just 6, 12, and 42 attempts in the previous three seasons.

However, in Adebayo's defense, he has demonstrated a series of impressive offensive performances over the six weeks leading up to Ware's inclusion in the lineup. His efficiency on offense has improved, maintaining a two-point shooting percentage of 52.8, which matches his performance from the previous season. Additionally, he has increased his shooting percentage from 10 to 15 feet to 45.1%, up from 41.6% last season.

During periods of offensive struggle, especially earlier in the season, Adebayo clarified that it was not a matter of "playing poor basketball," nor was it due to reckless turnovers or a failure to fulfill his defensive responsibilities. Adebayo expressed never experiencing feelings of desperation during times of adversity.

“I feel like we all go through that stretch,” Adebayo said regarding his subpar start to the season. “It’s a part of basketball. If you ask anybody if they have ever had a tough day at their job, they’re going to be like, ‘Yeah.’ That one month was very tough for me. I kept the same approach and didn’t let it get to me. A lot of people would be like, ‘What’s wrong? He’s not who he is.’ But narratives flip.” 

Adebayo's 3-point shooting has improved but needs to expand range

In the contemporary NBA, the ability to shoot from long range is crucial. The role of big men has evolved, with fewer players operating in the post and more focusing on spacing the floor from the perimeter. Adebayo recognizes that becoming a credible outside shooting threat is essential for the Heat to win. He's shooting a lot more 3-pointers. and being a weapon from the perimeter will help open up more opportunities to throw lobs for Ware. Adebayo needs to keep expanding his range.

The team benefits from the presence of sharpshooters such as forward Duncan Robinson and guard Tyler Herro. But, with an expanded roster of players willing to embrace the challenge of increasing their 3-point attempts, Miami is well-positioned to enhance their offensive strategy.

For the current 2024-25 season, Adebayo expressed his intention to make a minimum of 100 3-pointers. When queried by radio host Brendan Tobin during media day regarding his perimeter shooting, Bam responded with assurance.

The Heat have averaged 13.9 3-pointers per game this season. Adebayo's 3-point shooting numbers in the last few games have been impressive, and he's been letting it fly! As of March 12, 2025, Bam has made 72 3-pointers throughout his career, and 52 of them this saeson. He is attempting 2.7 per game. In a match against the Charlotte Hornets on Mar. 10, 2025, Adebayo achieved a shooting accuracy of 50% from beyond the arc. Here's a breakdown of his 3-point percentage (3P%) per season: 

• 2020-21: 25.0%
• 2021-22: 0.0%
• 2022-23: 8.3%
• 2023-24: 35.7%
• 2024-25: 31.0%

Although Adebayo has always demonstrated solid shooting mechanics, it has not been a prominent aspect of his game. Entering the NBA primarily as a rim-runner and vertical spacer, Adebayo has gradually worked on expanding his shooting capabilities. The 6-foot-9 All-Star recorded a career-high 42 attempts from beyond the arc last season, having previously taken a total of 62 3-point shots in his first six seasons, achieving a commendable shooting percentage of 35.7% for a center.

Adebayo did not begin to consistently attempt 3-point shots until he reached the 65-game mark last season, at which point he initiated a five-game streak of making at least one 3-pointer in each game. In the last 17 games of the season, he took 28 3-point attempts, averaging 1.6 attempts per game, and achieved a shooting percentage of 50%. However, his performance declined during the postseason.

Now in his eighth season in the NBA, Adebayo aims to significantly increase his 3-point shooting volume compared to last year. Setting a target of approximately 1.5 to two 3-point attempts per game seems entirely feasible, as does aiming for at least 100 total attempts from beyond the arc. The necessary spacing will depend on the development of Ware and the players who share the court with him.

Notably, Adebayo's resurgence has persisted, and Ware's game has developed, despite the Heat's disheartening losing streak. With losing five in a row, the Heat will desperately try to get a win despite their upcoming schedule not getting any easier.

The team is currently in ninth place in the Eastern Conference and seven games below the .500 for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Having concluded the previous regular season with a record of 46-36, Miami has already matched last season's total losses, with 17 regular-season games remaining. Despite the struggles, one thing for certain is, that Adebayo recognizes Ware's value and contributions to the team, and how he has helped elevate his game.

“We have somebody 7 feet at the rim, it allows me to be a versatile big," Adebayo said on his minutes with rookie Kel’el Ware. "We've seen in the Olympics that it’ll work. So for me, let's keep this line-up going."