Nearly 18 months ago, Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo became the third player in franchise history to make All-Defensive first team after four-straight seasons of earning second-team honors.
Miami’s captain may be undersized relative to other NBA centers, but that hasn’t stopped him from being one of the most scheme-versatile bigs in the entire league. Deep Drop. Drop at the level. Blitz. Hedge. Switch. You name it, he could do it at an elite level.
However, months after his All-Defensive team streak was snapped, league executives no longer view the Heat star as one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA.
Bam Adebayo did not receive a single vote for the “NBA’s most versatile defender” question in latest GM survey:
Hello, bulletin board material. Nice to see you again!
Adebayo, 28, has never earned the most votes for said question, to be fair. But the 6-foot-9 big man finished third, third and fourth, respectively, each of the previous three seasons.
General managers’ word isn’t end-all, be-all. Though it is a surprising omission nonetheless; 11 players received at least one vote, led by Houston’s Amen Thompson (18 percent). Rightfully, the Rockets’ 6-foot-7 Swiss Army knife has Defensive Player of the Year potential (if Victor Wembanyama’s doesn’t meet 65-game minimum).
And so does Adebayo.
It’s an entirely separate discussion, but the Heat have finished as a top-10 defense each of the last six seasons, including a top-7 defense in three of the last four.
Over that span, Spoelstra pivoted from a switch-heavy scheme, to Adebayo playing far more drop, back to a more switch-heavy scheme last year.
Given the defensive personnel concerns at the point-of-attack, Adebayo’s importance to the Heat defense can’t be understated. One could argue he’ll be surrounded by more dynamic defenders heading into 2025-26, so I’m curious to see how Spoelstra will try to maximize his strengths.
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Trade proposal I saw this morning. Somebody is smoking some seriously bad sh*t.
Pelicans receive:
Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick, a top-five protected 2030 first-round pick, and a 2032 lottery-protected first-round pick back to New Orleans.
Heat receives:
Zion Williamson
I can see Herro, Fontecchio, Larsson and a pick or two.
Totally agree. I saw that too. 4 first round picks? For a guy who has struggled to stay healthy? No! I like your proposal better.
There are rumblings Miami is working on bringing in someone can elevate the team to contender status. Hopefully Heat won’t need to sell the farm/future to do it.
Xion could be that guy. NO may be getting a little tired of his unrealized potential. It’s not impossible they could move him for mostly picks and a couple young players with perceived upside potential. Two picks I could see, not four.
I dont think Miami is the right place for Zion. Pat might use knife to remove fat from his body.
Riley wouldn’t find much fat. He has gotten into impressive shape. Have you seen him lately?
Zion got fat if see a pizza, and very fat, if eat one. Its just the way it is.
Having problems with his weight is a permanent condition. Being in shape once is a positive deviation, and being extremely fat, is a negative one.
Body type is what it is. It takes warrior to fight this, and Zion is not that.
I don’t believe the Heat would allow him to do that. And I suspect you don’t know the history of Udonis Haslem.
I think Zion is not Miami type of player.
If there is a GM and a coach who can hold Williamson accountable, it is Riley and Spo. If he doesn’t comply, he stands to lose a lot of money.
Zion Williamson’s contract has incentives tied to weight and games played that can increase the guaranteed money in his deal.
Specifically,
For example, during the 2025-2026 season, he must pass six weigh-ins, with a combined weight and body fat percentage below 295, and play in at least 61 games to have his entire salary guaranteed.
On the other hand:
A trade might require a 3 team deal involving a team seeking Herro’s services or a direct trade involving Wiggins and a combination of players and/or picks.
Its clear, that Zion has bad habits regarding food and discipline. Add his body type, and you have what we saw in past years.
Bellow optimal condition, injury, overweight, comeback, slow game, another injury….
for people like Zion…. a hamburger could worth millions when things get rough. I now by myself. When weather is changing, my refrigerator is shaking.
Thats nonsense, Miami Is the best place for zion, he would be consistently be in good shape with us cuz Riley ,and spo will always hold him accountable. Plus the body fat test, and diet programs are what we’re known for. He would prime Charles Barkley with us.
I think, health permitting, he would be a really good fit for the team.
Every team has that. But team executives, coaches and owners are avoiding confront with their stars. They prefer to trade them (like they did with Luka).
The only exemption is Riley.
Remember that one?
Wade: I bulked up.
Riley: No, you didn’t. You are fat.
Weight Loss: Multiple sources report that Williamson lost about 40 pounds over the summer.
Current weight: He is now reportedly weighing 264 pounds, which is lighter than his high school weight.
Method: The weight loss was a result of a structured training and diet plan, which included cardio, strength, and agility drills.
At 264 lbs Zion could play SF for Miami. Can you imagine a front line of Ware, Bam and Zion? With Mitchell at PG and Powell at SG works for me. That dog will hunt.
My major concern about Jovic is his history of injuries. He has played no more than 46 games in any of his first three seasons due to a variety of injuries. He’ll be out again this weekend. It’s hard to plan rotations when players are out due to injury. He’s not the only one. Herro, Smith and Rozier are also of concern.
https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/key_miami_heat_player_with_setback_as_season_approaches/s1_16619_42884518
Thats the reality of NBA. hope its not something serious.
because Miami is not seen as a contender. not a “threat” as before. not “relevant”. no hype. no noise. well except that Powell move. so GMs are definitely going to miss Bam on their radar. if the Heat goes deep in the playoffs its going to be a different story. dude is the anchor of a top 7 defense in the past 4 or 5 years.
Excellent perspective. I wish Bam would not be always saddled with center responsibilities.,Bam as a power forward could be a force of nature.
Maybe it’s just my own confirmation bias, but it feels like this re-enforces my belief that the Heat’s lack of major moves over the past few years is turning them into an afterthought. I bet if the Heat had traded Jimmy Butler for De’Aaron Fox, then Bam would be getting more attention.
It’s pretty true. No one outside of south Florida is expecting much from this team.
Miami has a good supporting cast and depth. One good trade can increase the team’s trajectory for the better. I’m sure Riley is working on something.
Norm Powell fits the Heat like a glove. I hope he has a great year and earns a 3 year contract extension/$77M (less than $26 per season. Good deal for both sides.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djYVdK5tFKY
He looks damn good.
Good. Bam needs to be playing with a chip on his shoulder/something to prove..
True. He was overlooked for several year in such surveys, but not in this one. Its seems about right that he isn’t there.