Sometimes, there are nights when everything just clicks.
It’s been a rough last 11 games for Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo. The three-time All-Star was averaging just 11.4 points on a ghastly 37.1 percent shooting over that span, including just six points on 3-of-10 in the Heat’s 12-point loss earlier this week to the reigning champion Thunder.
Adebayo hasn’t quite looked the same since suffering his foot injury in early November. But the star big has been healthy enough to play — with Miami needing more from him offensively.
He responded in the Heat’s six-point win over the Phoenix Suns. Adebayo poured on 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting, knocking down three 3-pointers — his most since Dec. 1 — across 32 minutes. Adebayo capped the Heat’s win by scoring 13-straight points down the stretch, including a pair of triples that ignited the 19,700 in attendance inside Kaseya Center.
“The ball found the right karma,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said after the win. “He earned it to have a great night. He really did. How he was pouring so much of his effort and intensity into the game. And he hit those clutch 3s. It was awesome to see.”
Adebayo’s 13 fourth-quarter points were the most he’s scored in the fourth all season. He’s only scored 13 or more in a single quarter two other times this season, including 18 first-quarter points against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 24.
The 6-foot-9 big man added a pair of steals and one block in the winning effort, tying the team lead for both. Phoenix was active on the offensive glass, but Adebayo helped limit Phoenix to 43.1 percent shooting, including 16-of-28 at the rim.
“That was a Defensive Player of the Year-type performance throughout the course of the game,” Spoelstra said. “He was doing everything on pick-and-roll (defense) — whether he was zoning on pick-and-rolls, staying at the basket or switching. … He was kind of orchestraing our whole defense.”
From the opening tip, Adebayo was in complete rhythm. Obviously, his ability to stack those type of performances will be key as the season progresses. But every player has low points over the course of an 82-game season.
Let’s hope for Adebayo’s sake, he’s already reached his lowest point.
“A lot of people care about the last column,” Adebayo said, referring to his points. “Throughout this offensive slump, I’ve still been doing the defensive part. We’re still ranked the 3rd-best defense, and nobody is talking about that. They just talking about my offense.
“Obviously, it feels great to see the ball go in. I’ve been in a slump for two weeks. And you don’t overreact to it. When you’re in this league long enough, you see some of the greats go through slumps.”
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With his energy, size, high BBIQ, toughness, determination and clutch play, Jaime definitely needs to be on the floor to close out games. See highlights of his 5 assists in final 3:30 of the 4th quarter vs Suns.
https://twitter.com/i/status/2011326987131134355
I try to be objective. Although I have serious concerns about Ja’s fit with Miami, his injury history, declining production, off court baggage and large contract, I am very intrigued thinking about his possible upside if the stars all align. I think he could potentially unleash players such as Bam and Ware and also fit into the run & gun fast break process the Heat is using this season.
Here’s is very interesting excerpt from today’s article by Brady Hawk of YardBarker on Ja Morant’s potential fit with Miami.
“So why would Ja Morant go to another team running a style that he displeases?
Well I’ve got news for those asking that question. Not even the Heat will be running this offense for long.
It’s already fading in Miami, as although it peaked early in the season due to it being something new for teams to scout out, there’s generally a reason why pick and rolls were implemented into the league in the first place. They work.
Over the last 3 or 4 games, Miami has been leaning heavily into the screening department, while also sustaining certain elements of the LaRoche style by playing with added pace and breaking down defenders one-on-one for those who thrive in that area, such as Jaime Jaquez Jr.”
…”If Miami is really going to make a move like this, the shooting needs to be prioritized. I don’t worry about Morant himself working in Miami or what offense they elect to run, but the correct players have to be around these units.
We will see where this puts Tyler Herro or Norman Powell in this discussion as both of their extensions loom over the organization, but the simplest way to making it work with Ja Morant in a Miami Heat jersey is surrounding him and that front-court with shooters.
For those worried about the price it’ll take or the money cutting into the salary cap for the next two seasons bring up valid concerns.
But anybody concerned about anything involving Ja Morant, the Miami Heat, and things on the basketball court, my take is this: don’t be.”
See link for full article below.
https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/what_would_ja_morants_fit_in_miami_even_look_like/s1_16619_43331989
I’m skeptical of the fit too, but young stars with ja’s potential don’t normally come this cheap. So gotta take the risk and hope it pans out. I think heat culture will calm him down a bit cuz we have the infrastructure to hold him accountable player’s, coaches, and Riley. I think he we will come cheap too, since the wolves and kings are bowing out of the race. Ja will succeed here, hopefully… trade herro straight up or with fonzi. Starting lineup of ja, norman, wiggy, bam, and ware will help with shooting and cover his defense deficiencies. Also still keeping our bench unit intact led by JJJ.
In addition to my other reservations, I’m also concerned that Ja is currently underperforming/quiet quitting in order to display his dissatisfaction playing in Memphis and to force a trade. That is exactly what the quitter did last season in order to lower his value so he could to be traded to a team of his choosing that was willing to give him a 2 year extension. If Ja is doing it to Memphis…he can do it to Miami, just as quitter did, some time down the road.
I don’t think Spo is planning to use Ware as a permanent fixture with the first unit. He has started 27 of 40 games, thus far. I would insert Jaquez for Mitchell in your scenario. Ja, Powell, Jaquez, Wiggins and Bam. Jaquez is #4 in scoring, #3 in rebounding and #2 in assists. Mitchell, Ware and Larsson can form the nucleus of the second unit.
I’m totally fine with Jaquez starting, but 2 none shooters in the starting lineup, would make us easier to defend, and the opp would clog up the paint more. Also Jaquez is in running for 6 moty, and I don’t think spo would want to mess with the bench unit chemistry. I could also see pelle starting over Jaquez and ware as well. I can see Jaquez being a full time starter next season. After he gets his award this season hopefully.
Makes sense. I see Jaime’s value more as a playmaker, rebounder and scorer in the paint and mid-range. With our bigs shooting 3’s, they don’t need to necessarily be camped out in the paint like traditional bigs. At minimum, I would start him in the second half to bring more energy and physicality to the “turd” quarter.
man take a chance on ja.hes an ex ss who maybe can gain his form backhes been .playing with nodody in memphis must be frustrating.getting to play with good players will creedence clearwater revival him i believe,hes such a talented player those guys are few and far between
Oh Lord, he doesn’t want to be stuck in (Memphis) again.
I’ve already disproved that. They were #2 seed a couple of years ago and won more than 50 games twice.
I don’t need to see the games that Ja plays to know what he is. These sports analysts are paid to watch games and different players. This is the consensus truth regarding him.
*Morant’s recent on-court production raises questions. This season, he has averaged 19.0 points, 7.6 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per game, while shooting 40.1 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from three. His efficiency dip, paired with defensive concerns and an expensive contract, adds weight to the decision.*
Players all have their ups and downs and after awhile you know a little bit about their production cycles. The better the player, the more often he is on his game. Norm, our best player, is on 9 out of ten games. Bam had an uncharacteristic stretch where he was not clicking on all cylinders for a few games in a row, but that is pretty unusual for him as he is a three out of four game type generally speaking. And, even when his offense if off, he usually still brings good D. Ty is more like three out of five on offense, sometimes with efficiency, sometimes not. But, he seldom doesn’t hurt us on the defensive end. Andrew Wiggins is a player a lot of people devalue, and he does have poor offensive games about two out of every four games, to some fans frustration. But, he also brings decent d most games. Then there are players who are only occasionally on, scoring maybe one out of five games.
Anyway, there are great ranges in some players performances, but usually not too much in Bam’s. That’s why it was so nice to see him play so well against Phoenix.
I agree about Wiggins. Nothing flashy. Just does his job. A good #5 on any team.
If a team is paying their #5 player $30M, it is in bad shape. It could be argued he is #6 player behind Jaquez, who has a better ppg, rpg and apg in fewer minutes. He seems like odd man out if Riley plans on making trades. I can see him being traded for Kuminga and Horford -or- Quinten Post -or- a 2nd rounder.
The ongoing discussions/rumors have been Rui, Knecht, and a first round pick for him. Or, as you point out Kuminga/Horford might work. His salary seems fair to me, in the same range as Barrett, Hartenstein , Simons, McCollum.