Top 100 NBA player rankings gets it right (and wrong) with Heat stars

Bam Adebayo at 24: Too low

Adebayo saw himself listed at 24 in the rankings, which is just a bit too low for a player of his caliber. The list had guys like Kawhi Leonard, Zion Williamson and Tyrese Haliburton ahead of him. In two of the three names listed here, they struggled to stay on the court this season. Williamson didn’t even earn an NBA All-Star nod.

The Adebayo disrespect is something that Heat fans are used to. His under-appreciated game from colleagues should raise a lot more question marks than it does. He averaged 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals on 52.1% shooting and a career-high 35.7% from deep last season. How many players are putting up those numbers while being an elite defensive player?

Coming off his third NBA All-Star selection, Adebayo has improved each season of his career. He earned All-Defensive first-team honors and was a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award. The fact that Adebayo has added a 3-point shot to his arsenal only increased his two-way versatility. 

At 26, Adebayo's best is still to come. He is entering the beginning of his prime years. For a center who can guard one through five at an elite level, he has a lot of respect from his peers. More confidence in his jumper will only make him more dangerous and closer to cracking the top 20.