Bam Adebayo's eye-popping line in Heat scrimmage may be sign of things to come

Bam Adebayo didn’t hesitate. In the opening minute of Monday’s inter-squad scrimmage, he caught the ball on the left wing and let it fly. Swish. 

It was the first of his five made 3-pointers on the night. He took 11. He let it fly in this half-serious setting, but even this scrimmage might offer a glimpse into Adebayo’s mindset about 3-point shooting. Namely, that he can do it.

Adebayo made three 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes of the Heat’s annual Red, White & Pink scrimmage put on to support cancer awareness and research. 

First from the left wing, then from the left corner, then a straight-on pull-up in semi-transition. He took them in every which way – even a devil-may-care 35-footer. 

But the stroke looked good. It looked like he’s been practicing all of these 3-pointers and is ready to uncork them at a career-high rate.

Adebayo attempted a career-high 42 3s last season, making 15 of them (35.7%). He ratcheted up the frequency as last season went on, averaging 1.5 3-point attempts over his final 20 games. He willingly took 3s during his run to Olympic gold with Team USA. 

So Monday’s scrimmage felt more like the reward of hard work than a just-for-fun exception.

Yes, he took 11 3s. A handful of them that he would never take in a game that counts. But, again, he made five of them – 45%. The ones he made were the ones he would, could and should take in a game that counts.

No, he won’t average 11 per game. Heck, he might not even average three. But adding a reliable 3-ball to his game will pump up his point totals, help space the floor for his teammates and help the Heat escape the bottom third of the league in offensive efficiency.

"I think he'll be able to step right in and take those kinds of shots,” coach Erik Spoelstra said, “and it'll fit into our system."

It’s just an inter-squad scrimmage, but the Heat play their first preseason game Tuesday night on the road against the Charlotte Hornets. They have four more preseason games after that. Adebayo’s 3-point shooting will be closely monitored. Maybe Monday night was a hint at what’s to come.

Other scrimmage standouts:

• Pelle Larsson finished with 21 points on 10 of 16 shooting, nine assists and four rebounds in 34 minutes.
• Keshad Johnson had 18 points on 9 for 12 shooting, including some highlight-reel dunks.
• Zyon Pullin, perhaps competing for a two-way spot, finished with 11 points, six assists and six rebounds in 24 minutes. 
• Dru Smith looked good with seven points on 3 for 4 shooting, three rebounds and three assists.
• Josh Christopher had 17 points on 8 of 18 shooting.
• Kel’el Ware finished with eight points, seven rebounds and three assists.