While he continued to impact the game in myriad ways, one of the biggest disappointments to begin the 2024-25 season was Bam Adebayo’s efficiency–or lack thereof.
Over his first 30 games, the Miami Heat big posted career-worsts in scoring (16.2) and field goal percentage (45.0). His impact offensively was minimized by his touch within 15 feet falling off a cliff.
While his role still occasionally shifts on a night-to-night basis, his struggles to get the ball in the cylinder are long behind him. Adebayo’s shot diet still leaves some to be desired–he still settles for plenty of contested 2s in the short mid-range–but the three-time All-Star has been the Heat’s most complete player over the last three months.
That said, one element of his game–which was hyped up heading into the season–has flown under the radar.
Heat big Bam Adebayo is shooting 40.2 percent from deep over last 30 games:
Adebayo, 27, began to flash his range at the tail end of 2023-24. Over his last 17 games last season, he shot 50.0 percent, albeit on just 1.6 triple tries per game that accounted for just 23.3 percent of his shot diet over that span.
His shot diet has remained fairly similar, but Adebayo has doubled his per-game volume (3.1 3PA) over his last 30 games, where he’s converting on 40.2 percent of his attempts. For the season, he’s taking nearly 20 percent of his shots (19.4) from deep, a huge uptick from 4.1 percent 3-point rate last season.
This has been a season-long experiment, and rightfully so. Plus, over the last two months, he’s obviously been in a more featured role with Jimmy Butler’s departure. Since Jan. 28, he’s averaging 20.7 points on 52.4/40.2/80.4 shooting splits, in addition to 9.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Even though defenses still aren’t paying the former No. 14 pick any respects from distance, it’s encouraging to see him lean more into his 3-point shot as time goes on. His form and balance are among the best on the team, especially when he takes those attempts in rhythm ATB and from the corner.
The Heat’s offense with Bam Adebayo and rookie Kel’el Ware remains a work in progress. There’s no question that Ware has spared Adebayo extra energy to get to his spots when he needs to. While Adebayo is far more efficient and reliable long-range threat, both have tried to stay out of each other’s way since they occupy the same spaces.
Miami remains at least one move away from being one move away. We’re in a completely different part of the build than we were two months ago. However, these growing pains have long-term ramifications. You have to go through the lumps to be triumphant.
And Adebayo’s continued growth from 3-point range is one the Heat may need in this era where every inch of spacing matters.
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I’m a bam Stan, and he’s my favorite player, and with that being said, I feel like he can hit another level. He was was experiencing career lows in scoring and efficiency in the beginning of the season due expanding his repertoire, and kinda being in his head. Lately he’s been turning it on and looking like bosh from the arc. He still needs to work on his clutchness tho, even if he has 3 or 4 gamewinners. I expect him and ware to both be better next season offensively. What’s better than 1 big man shooter? 2 big man shooters .
I just read that on espn:
After following up a 10-game losing streak with a five-game winning streak, Miami has given itself a chance to get back into the 7-8 play-in game. For Miami, getting into the playoffs means avoiding having two unprotected picks out in the future — something the Heat would very much like to avoid. — Bontemps
Again, as I understand, those two pick are available to heat if they missed the PO. I read something like that several times.
Who is wrong and who is right, please explain somebody.
Mia is devoid of talent, those teams on top of their conferences are not….hos did those teams get there? Yes great trade additions but picks preferably top picks, Bos Tatum brown, cavs yes dmitch but garland Mobley okc yes sga but Chet Williams Carson etc etc can literally name the whole starting lineup. But I hope you get what I’m trying to say. Go for the picks some strategic trades come back next year and give them hell
I totally disagree with that Botemps quote even though it contains some facts. Here’s why. If Miami misses the playoffs, they will end up with a draft pick in the 10-12 range (plus the Warriors pick in the 20s). It would be the highest pick we’ve had in 10 years.
It is true that if we miss the playoffs, the picks that go to Oklahoma and Charlotte in 2026 and 2028 will be fully unprotected, meaning even if they are top 10, top 5, or even #1, they get the pick. But the reality is, is that this team (which is not ‘devoid’ of talent) with 2 draft picks this year, plus a trade or 2 at the end of the season will almost definitely be considerably better the next several years than this year. Assuming that is true, it would not matter that those picks are unprotected because we will likely be a playoff team. Therefore, the picks they get would be anywhere in the 15-30 range. Neither Oklahoma nor Charlotte would benefit by those picks being unprotected if we make the playoffs the next 3 seasons.
lol Mia in terms of the top two teams in the east/west is devoid of talent lmao. Also funny how you copied what I literally said
“with 2 draft picks this year, plus a trade or 2 at the end of the season will almost definitely be considerably better the next several years than this year.”
Compared to Bos cle okc Denver lakers orl Indy teams in front of them in the standings in the east Miami is devoid of talent
We both have been talking about the importance of getting the lottery pick. We just see the core of the team differently.
Thank you for this explanation. So you prefer the picks in the strong draft this year over picks in 2026 and 2028.
I m not that confident about the future. I didn’t see Heat bellow 6th place at worst, but here we are. Then, take a look of “title contender” Philly, last year finalist Dallas and the most expensive NBA team Phoenix.
The future is not a given.
So what will be will be.
Yes, in the future years, our picks are likely to be much lower, maybe 15-22, because the team will be better. The team is playing much better now (Wiggins included). If we had this group from the beginning, I think we would’ve been in the 4-6 seed range. Adding 2 first round picks now plus a couple of players should get us back into contention in the next year or 2.
That’s right RC. This is the time to be bold and optimistic, not tentative or overly cautious.
Bam isn’t getting any younger and the future is guaranteed to no one. Two in the hand is better than two in the bush.
If Miami misses the playoffs, it gets a sure thing lottery pick and a sure thing Golden State pick which appears will be somewhere in the low 20’s. If the Heat can get those two picks this year, it will give the team another year to develop it’s current crop of youngsters, plus the new draftees. It will also give the existing core players time to further gel. Finally, it will give the organization time to trade expiring contracts or just wait for them to expire at the end of the 2026 season. At that time, with a solid core and cash on hand, Miami can recruit or trade for a quality free agent. The 2026 crop of free agents is expected to be one of the best in years (Doncic, Young, Irving, Banchero, Jackson, Jalen Williams, Fox, Powell, Reeves, Reid, etc. See free agent web site below.
I don’t expect Miami to begin hitting it’s full stride until the 2026-2027 season.
https://hoopshype.com/lists/2026-nba-free-agent-rankings-the-best-players-available-next-year/
I said this at the beginning of the season. If Bam is gong to expand his game to include the 3-pointer, then I think we should expect one step backwards so he can take two steps forward. Sure enough, his 3-point shot is getting better, even if his overall offensive production is struggling.
To quote the great Zach Lowe, growth is not linear.
We’ve seen this from Herro, now we’re seeing it from Bam. If you want these guys to get better over the course of their careers, they have to try new things, and struggle through them, to reach growth on the other side. Zach LaVine never has a down year in scoring, but he also never gets better.
This is what growth looks like.
On a happy note, I read Dragic is expected to join the organization next season
That would be a good to see, I recently seen him Courtside, and he looked happy .
too late to get luka maybe the joker
It’s good to see the progress Bam has made and is making. It is not an understatement to say that Ware on the floor has lifted some of those duties on the boards and rim protection off Bam, not to talk of the body pounding that goes with it.
Once again, spot on. Bam has blossomed in the power forward position.
You, heat and I had been advocating Miami draft a center and convert Bam to PF for a long time…well before last summer’s draft. PF has always been his ideal position, although he functioned well as a “small ball center.” I’m glad to see him adjusting to his new role and improving his 3 point shooting. It only makes him more valuable.
bams jump equates to tys improvement.
Defensively Bam-Ware looks like a nightmare on opponents. They just have to figure out the offensive side but for now everything is going well. The Jimmy drama is behind them. Go Heat!
They’ve only been at it 2 months (since January 19 vs San Antonio), when Ware started consistently playing over 20 minutes per game. I can’t wait to see how well they’ll function together by next season or two seasons from now (2026-2027).
I still can’t help but wonder how well the team would have played with Ware, “Playoff Jimmy” plus Mitchell. But then, I snap out of it when I realize that Butler had already begun “quiet quitting” long before his final game with Miami on January 21 vs Portland.
In reviewing the last six games Butler played for the Heat (from December 20th – January 21st), he scored a total of 56 points (9 ppg) and had 16 rebounds (2.5 rpg). This was preceded by a December 20 game vs Detroit when Butler scored 35 points, with 19 rebounds and 10 assists. If that isn’t quiet quitting, I don’t know what is.
Wiggins out vs Boston
wow this guy is always injured.did we get damaged goods.i believe browns injured for them.this is the ultimate ty test.if he goes off on white and holiday hes big time.going off on charlotte atl wash one thing this is the ultimate test for ty..that bc defense is best in nba.due to luxury tax cs gonna have to make decision on porz or holiday next year.its pretty obvious whos gone
I’m gonna say it, I think Davion Mitchell was the best player the Heat got in the Jimmy Butler trade
As part of a four-team Butler trade:
In essence, Miami gave up a second round pick to acquire Tucker in the Butler trade and another one when they traded him to Toronto for Mitchell.
Btw, Tucker was released by Toronto and was signed to a 10-day contract by New York. He has since signed a 2 year contract with the Knicks.
Bam is finding his way as he evolves from a full-time center to a PF/C. I love how his 3 point shooting has evolved. Just imagine if both Bam and Ware turn into serious 3 point threats. That should leave the paint open for more shots and offensive rebounds. Imagine what they will be able to do together by the beginning of next season.
A random thought came into my mind. What if the Heat could trade Wiggins (and a filler) for a healthy Zion Williamson? I bet Miami could get him in the best shape of his life and surround him with the best team in his career. Ware, Bam and Williamson could tear it up on the inside. Then I snapped out of it.
two injury prone players .zions injured more also better than wiggy.pels can fill their stomach with some duncan donuts
Nice write up HHH