As Miami Heat reporter Ira Winderman echoes, the team needs to be comfortable with the player that Bam Adebayo is currently on the offensive end of the floor - it's one that isn't a go-to scorer. It's the honest reality that surrounds him, and one that many in the fan base may not like.
But at this point in his career, it's one that has become abundantly clear.
This movement to push Bam to be a go-to scorer has to end. It's not who he is, and not where he offers the most value to the Heat. When Bam is at his best for the Heat, it's when he's the most dominant (and most versatile) defensive player in the league.
Sure, he can also be a weapon for the Heat on the offensive end of the floor, but that has always been secondary for him. And attempting to force him into a role that doesn't come naturally to him only hurts the rest of the team.
And when the Heat tries to force Bam into being the primary option on the offensive end of the floor, it throws off the rhythm of the rest of the team.
The Heat need to let Bam be Bam
That's why it's important for the Heat to let Bam be Bam. Even though it would be great if Bam could theoretically develop into being the No. 1 option for the Heat on the offensive end of the floor, it's pretty clear that he's never going to get there.
And that's OK.
It's time for the team - and the fan base - to accept that reality.
Bam is never going to be an elite offensive player, and that's not the end of the world. The Heat just needs to pivot. There's still a chance that Bam can be the second-best player on a championship team, with the right No. 1 option.
Clearly, the Heat's current roster doesn't fit that description. And that's part of the reason why the team has tried to fit him into that lead role. But if there's one thing that has become clear over the last couple of years, especially since Jimmy Butler's departure, it's the fact that Bam is not that lead option.
The Heat should be comfortable with that and keep that in mind as they continue to build out this roster.
As tough a pill as it may be to swallow, the Heat know what they have in Bam. Interestingly enough, they also know what they don't have in him either.