The quiet truth about Bam Adebayo’s 83-point explosion is finally being said

There may be a few reasons why Bam Adebayo's 83-point game has become the NBA's most polarizing event to happen in quite some time. However, the quiet truth has been pointed out by one Heat writer. It's this simple: Bam is not a "name" guy.

It's the idea that Bam is not a player many in the media want to embrace as the player to break the modern-day NBA scoring record, which, in many ways, was viewed as Kobe Bryant's 81 points.

Bam, a very good player in his own right, can't be that player in their eyes. Many are basically saying Kobe's record can't be broken because Bam doesn't fit the bill.

And they couldn't be more wrong. But it's also a grim reminder of what is wrong with much of the way the Association is currently covered.

Bam shouldn't be punished for the media's insecurities

Whether it's Sam Amick saying that Bam should've "stopped" at 81 points, Chris "mad dog" Russo saying he won't "bow down" to respect this performance, or the everyday Kobe Bryant stan who spent all night trying to "tweet their way through it," it's clear that there's a double standard being placed on Bam.

But why is that his fault?

Why was it Bam's fault that the Washington Wizards couldn't defend him at a high level all night long? Why is it Bam's fault that they kept fouling him? Why was it Bam's fault that he got hot and was encouraged all night to keep chucking up shots (at least in part because the Heat were without Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Kel'el Ware, and Andrew Wiggins)?

Why should a high-level competitor be criticized for wanting to compete?

Players can't be criticized for not taking the regular season seriously and then be chirped for taking it too seriously and being too competitive. I thought the name of the game was to play from whistle to whistle. That's exactly what Bam did.

Was there some "funny business" by Erik Spoelstra to help Bam get to the 83-point threshold? Sure. But what's the difference from what Spo did to fouling late in a game when it's clearly out of reach? And that's something that every coach in the league seems to do without hesitation.

Bam and Kobe can be both celebrated

Bam's 83-point game is not being taken seriously by some because he doesn't fit the mold of the player that they want to celebrate. And this is not taking away from Kobe's 81-point night. That will never be erased. That was an amazing feat.

But both can be celebrated without having to tear the other down. And that's the fallacy that the current age of sports culture is missing entirely. Praising Bam doesn't take anything away from Kobe. Both are great. Both will be remembered as legendary performances.

It's too bad debate culture has taken the narrative around the modern game to a dark place.

We can't discredit Bam just because he isn't a name the masses want to celebrate. I can't imagine Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, or even LeBron James being torn apart if they had a similar performance. That's because they wouldn't.

For some reason, Bam is.

And it's pretty obvious why. He doesn't fit the narrative that the NBA media wants to run with. It's great that someone finally said it out loud.