Erik Spoelstra proclaimed Bam Adebayo as one of the top two-way players in the league

Bam Adebayo’s historic 83 points outing made shock waves around the entire basketball world. He didn’t just break several Miami Heat franchise records along the way, but even NBA records. 

Of course, Adebayo now is the sole owner of the second-highest scoring game in NBA history— passing Kobe Bryant’s 81 points and behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game. Here’s a brief recap of just how significant his performance truly was, courtesy of CBS Sports: 

• Second-most points in NBA History
• Most free throws made in a game ever
• 2 attempts shy of most 3-point attempts ever
• Most combined 3PA/FTA ever 
• Bam’s previous career-high was 41 PTS
• Bam’s 2025-26 PPG jumped from 18.9 to 20.0 overnight

Following that night in a blowout win at home versus the tanking Washington Wizards, coach Erik Spoelstra was in awe of his All-Star big man and team captain. He even went as far as to label him a top-three two-way player in the entire association. 

“Once he got to 50, then we’re thinking alright maybe he can get to 60,” Spoelstra stated in the postgame press conference. “And when he got to 60, we might as well go for 70 and then I didn’t dare even think about taking him out at that point. I didn’t stop until once he got Kobe’s… He’s one of the top offensive players in this league and I think he’s a top 3 two-way player in this league. This is a moment I’ll never forget.”

Erik Spoelstra is right. 

When it comes to two-way talents— players that provide elite star impact on both ends of the floor— there aren’t many that do it better than Adebayo. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a multi-time Defensive Player of the Year and league MVP, along with Victor Wembanyama who’s on his way to earn plenty of those same accolades— are really the only ones to come to mind that are better than Adebayo in that regard.

Throughout his nine-year career in South Beach, he has built a strong reputation of locking down defensively 1-5. He can switch onto any player, at any position, and still shut them down. And now after this explosive and nuclear 83 points outing, there shouldn’t be any doubt in what Adebayo is capable of on the other side of the floor as well.

What Adebayo pulled off was deeper than the Heat franchise itself. But as stunning as it was, chasing greatness will always flood in opinions in this era of social media. 

Some jealous media and fans tried to claim Adebayo’s performance was “unethical”, as Miami started intentionally fouling towards the end of the game to give him a chance at reaching the record. They’ve also brought up the 43 free throw attempts and Spoelstra’s decision to not take him out of the game despite the near 30-point fourth quarter lead. “I apologize to absolutely no one. Period,” Spoelstra stated days after. 

Adebayo himself didn’t hold back at slamming the outside criticism too. Even the legendary Pat Riley had things to say: 

“Anybody who is negative on it, anybody who was cynical about it… they’re trying to either get views, hits, or they’re podcasters and that’s their job… They took an iconic, absolute incredible performance, and they tried to dismiss it. And that’s not fair.”

(— Pat Riley via Miami Herald)

At the end of the day, everyone will have their opinions. But 83 is 83. Adebayo’s name will now forever be etched into basketball royalty— as he enters his prime years as arguably one of the greatest two-way players in the world. 

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