One of the biggest reasons – if not the biggest reason – for the Miami Heat’s 9-10 start has been Bam Adebayo’s uncharacteristic shooting struggles.
Since becoming a full-time starter in 2019, Adebayo is averaging his fewest points (15.6) and lowest shooting percentage (41.9%) through the first 19 games of this season, including going 6 for 18 for 15 points in Monday night’s blowout loss to the Celtics in Boston.
It’s unclear what happened to Adebayo’s shot, but it’s obvious something is affecting him. Adebayo has attempted 267 shots this season, so this isn’t just a case of small samples anymore.
Whatever the reason behind Adebayo's poor shooting, the Heat need things to turn around quickly.
Slow starts are uncharacteristic for Adebayo, who enters the season as a prime example of Heat conditioning. He scored 20 or more points in 13 games of his first 18 games last season, but has reached 20 points in just five of his first 18 games this season.
“It’s not losing confidence in who I am,” Adebayo told reporters after Monday night’s loss. “It’s not overthinking the game too much because then you’ll start making other mistakes.
“It’s one of those things where just missing shots,” he continued. “I don’t really look at it no more than that. I feel like, at some point, the shot is going to turn around, and then it’s up from there.”
The Heat need Adebayo’s shot to start going in soon. Games against Anthony Davis and the Lakers, Jusuf Nurkic and the Suns and the Cavaliers’ jumbo frontline of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley will test Adebayo. For the Heat to win any of those games, Adebayo will have to win his matchup, especially with Jimmy Butler dealing with a knee injury.
Adebayo, who made 52% of his shots last season, is shooting 42% overall this season. He has some standout performances, but he’s reached last year’s shooting percentage in just four of his 19 games this season. He also already has more games shooting less than 30% this season (four) than he did all of last season (three).
The main culprit is Adebayo’s touch in the non-restricted paint area. According to basketball reference, Adebayo is shooting 38.9% on shots 3-10 feet from the basket. He made 51.5% of those shots last season.
That’s a steep drop-off in what has been a sweet spot for Adebayo, who has taken more shots from that area of the floor (46.4%) than any other for his career.
That’s an inexcusable miss, and Adebayo isn’t missing all of them in the same way. Out of six jumpers in the paint, Adebayo missed four long and two short. That may be a sign of overthinking things.
Fortunately for Adebayo, he went 4 for 6 in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game. The outcome had been all but decided at that point, but maybe those garbage-time reps could give Adebayo something to build off of.
Despite the shooting struggles, Adebayo continues to be one of the league’s most impactful defenders. He ranks 14th in Defensive EPM, per DunksAndThrees.com. He’s also averaging his most assists since 2021 and a career-high in offensive rebounds.
“Missed shots are one thing, but he continues to find a way to impact the game,” Herro said. “He’ll get his looks and he’s going to make his shots. We know what he’s capable of. I don’t think he’s struggling.”