Empowered both by dramatic improvement from the three-point arc and some of the best defense in the business, Bam Adebayo appeared on course to reclaim his spot among the NBA's stars. Hopefully, things didn't just veer off the track.
The big fella exited Miami's 122-112 loss in Denver early on Wednesday, hurting his left foot in the first quarter (always a worrisome injury with bigs) and never returning. There's no word yet on the severity of the injury, leaving the entire Heat Nation to sweat out the results of an MRI.
Miami will collectively keep its fingers crossed, because as much as its new egalitarian approach on offense has empowered the full range of this roster, Adebayo is the Lebowskian rug that ties everything together.
The Heat aren't equipped to withstand a lengthy absence from Adebayo.
With all due respect to Tyler Herro's All-Star ascension last season, Norman Powell's smooth transition to the team, and the resurgent effort of Jaime Jaquez Jr., no one has come close to dethroning Adebayo as the clear centerpiece of this organization.
His all-purpose versatility on defense is nearly unrivaled around the Association. His offensive abilities are such that he routinely averages around 20 points per contest, and that's not seen as his better end of the floor. He can create on the move, handle in transition, and send opponents into viral infamy at the rim.
He's also the resident caretaker of #HeatCulture, which is kind of a big deal around these parts.
Simply put, Miami isn't built to get by without him. And that'd be true even if frontcourt depth wasn't a pressing concern for this club (an issue worsened by Nikola Jovic's failure to launch and Kel'el Ware's consistent battle with inconsistency).
It also doesn't help that the upcoming schedule is giving gauntlet vibes. Following a back-to-back home set with the Hornets and Trail Blazers this weekend, the Heat will tussle twice-in-a-row with both the Cavaliers and Knicks before facing Jimmy Butler's Warriors and a Bulls team off to a scorching (and shocking) best-in-conference 6-1 start.
The road ahead is perilously lined with potential pitfalls. This would be tricky to navigate even with a healthy Adebayo (and a healthy Herro, for that matter).
Without him, though, it's the kind of stretch that could send this squad into a spiral that defines the entire season. Miami has been mostly competitive to this point, but it also hasn't created any kind of cushion for itself. One prolonged skit could leave the Heat looking up at a lot of folks in an Eastern Conference featuring eight other teams with .500-or-better win rates.
So, keep those fingers crossed, those good-luck charms within arm's reach, and those knocks-on-wood coming. The Heat need all of the good vibes and well-wishes they can get, because an extended absence for Adebayo could be a season-spoiler.