Predictably, it only took one game for Miami Heat fans to somewhat irrationally begin to criticize and call out Bam Adebayo for his play down the stretch. Bam, who finished with 15 points on the night, scored just four points in the second half and was 0-5 in the fourth quarter.
In a four-point loss, in which the Heat blew an eight-point lead down the stretch, Bam is naturally going to take slightly more of the blame. However, it certainly didn't take long for the loud criticism of Bam to begin to circulate across social media among the fan base.
Bam's struggles in the fourth quarter
And sure, Bam struggle for much of the second half offensively, but I don't think many fans understand the responsibility he held on the other end of the floor. Considering how overmatched the Heat were (from size perspective) in the frontcourt, Bam had his hands full all night long.
Even more so consiering Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra decided against playing Kel'el Ware while the game was being decided.
Bam needed to be all over the floor, while also being the first defense on the boards.
The Heat demanded too much of Bam late in the game, and it ultimately was at least one of the reasons why Miami blew the late lead.
It's difficult to blame the loss on Bam, especially considering how big he was for the team defensively, especially in the third quarter. Nevertheless, that's not something that's going to be remembered. Instead, what fans will point out is the fact that Bam was 0-5 and held scoreless in the final frame.
The Heat don't have a closer
In Bam's defense, it's not necessarily his job to be the Heat's closer. But, especially without Tyler Herro, that's part of his job description now. In game one of the regular season, Bam didn't answer the bell.
But that's OK. It's going to be a learning process, and as Spo noted, there were more positives than negatives in their loss at the hands of the Orlando Magic.
Erik Spoelstra: "I'm encouraged by more things than not from this game, and I'm not looking for moral victories. ... But there's definitely things that we can build on."
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) October 23, 2025
The Heat weren't good enough on the offensive end of the floor late in the game.
That doesn't all fall on Bam, but I suppose some of it does. But if there's one player that fans should trust to respond, it's Bam.
For a roster that doesn't have a ton of certainty on it, Bam is one of them. Even though he may have struggled in the fourth quarter against the Magic, I have no doubt he's going to bounce back in a big way against the Memphis Grizzlies.
It's entirely way too early to start this song and dance with Bam again. While he may deserve some blame for the team's loss on opening night, it's completely unjust to single him out for the blown lead.
Bam will be better, and so will the Heat.