The Miami Heat's revamped offense being such a success through the first week of the season is getting all the headlines, but it may have one disastrous side effect. Bam Adebayo has visibly struggled with efficiency and, at times, has looked comfortable in the Heat's new system. If this is the trade-off that the Heat must make, it may bring about some big-picture questions about their future.
Through the first four games of the season, Bam is averaging 21 points and nine rebounds per game. However, he's only shooting 42 percent from the field. That would be a career low by a large margin if that number doesn't rebound.
Before Bam's breakout game against the Charlotte Hornets, in which he finished with 26 points on 10-16 from the field, he was shooting just 36 percent from the field overall. Again, it's an extremely small sample size, but it's certainly one variable to keep a close eye on.
I also wouldn't jump to the conclusion that one necessarily has to do with the other, but if Bam's struggles do continue, it's certainly a conversation that would have to be had.
What the new offense has unlocked for Bam
Obviously, the hope is that Bam is knocking off some rust to begin the year. Despite their early success, if the Heat are going to keep this momentum going, they're going to need Bam playing at a high level. The way he's started this season simply isn't going to cut it.
Maybe he did find something after the game against the Hornets, but he'll need to prove that with more consistent showings over the next few weeks.
Interestingly enough, if there's one area in Bam's offense that has seen a bump this season, which may or may not be attributed to the Heat's revamped playstyle, it's his 3-point shooting.
We had heard about Bam's 3-point shooting ability in years past, but still never got to see it on a consistent basis during the regular season. Through the first week of this season, we've seen it. And the results have been encouraging.
Bam is currently shooting 39 percent from 3-point range on nearly six attempts per game. Those are great numbers for Bam as he continues to expand his offensive game.
And if Bam can be more efficient in and around the paint, there's reason to believe that the Heat's offense can possibly take their success to an even different level.