If Bam Adebayo is going to be remembered as an all-time Miami Heat great, he needs to find a way to make this experiment work with Giannis Antetokounmpo. And Dwyane Wade, the greatest Heat player to ever wear the jersey, just captured fans' biggest criticism of Bam.
In the eyes of Wade, being much more assertive, especially when Giannis isn't on the floor, is one way Bam could help spark this team after their slow start to the season.
“He gotta be the number 1 option with the 2nd unit guys. Point blank period. You can’t be a role player with the role players. — The shooters are struggling… but here’s why they’re struggling some. There’s no rhythm, flow to the game.
Wade is calling for Bam to take more of a leadership role on the court. Look, Bam might be a great leader in the locker room and with a microphone in front of him, despite a few blind spots here and there, but he needs to take more control when he's on the floor. And it's hard to push back on that idea.
Bam Adebayo needs to start playing (and acting) like a superstar
For better or worse, this Heat team was built around the premise of Bam being a superstar. That he, alongside Giannis, would be enough for Miami to enter the title picture in the Eastern Conference. So far, that hasn't been the case. Bam's lack of assertiveness has to be considered one big reason why.
And that's been one of Heat fans' biggest criticisms of Bam throughout his entire career. It's not just the idea of being more aggressive; it's playing in a way that backs up the fact that he's the second superstar on this team.
Right now, Bam is not playing that way, and it's been one of the biggest reasons why the Heat is 2-5 to start this season. This can't continue, not if the Heat is going to crawl out of this early-season hole.
If Miami is going to accomplish any of its goals for this season, Giannis needs a strong supporting star. That's Bam. He just needs to start playing with that level of confidence.
And, just maybe, that's the real spark that this Heat team needs. Someone to raise the standard. Giannis is certainly pleading for it. The captain has to set the example. Even though he's had his moments this season, Bam hasn't played up to his ability. And, as the captain, that naturally has an impact on the rest of the players.
The Heat are being ridiculed. They're being counted out. How will this team respond? It's time for their stars to hold the line. Giannis has been doing his part. It's time for Bam to say enough is enough.
Add us as a preferred source on Google