Multiple former Heat players had resentment over Bam Adebayo becoming “chosen one”

The Bam Adebayo-Tyler Herro era is over for the Miami Heat. And there now may have been some burned bridges in the process.

As first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Friday, Adebayo and Herro were involved in a physical altercation at a Las Vegas practice court. This comes after Herro had publicly made negative comments on Adebayo’s game and being skeptical of him earning a max salary with Miami on social media. Of course, Herro was the headlining piece of a trade package haul between the Heat and Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Each of Adebayo, Herro, the Heat organization and the NBA have not made any comments on the reported altercation. In fact, Herro’s lone statement when asked about the incident was “my only comment is no comment,” per Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman.

However, now more tea leaves are starting to publicly get uncovered. This started with Barry Jackson’s tweet that mentioned there began to be resentment from multiple former Heat players that Adebayo evidently has become the “chosen one” within the organization:

“What we can tell you is there has been some level of resentment from multiple former Heat players that Bam was the chosen one here and was given a big $$ extension by the Heat and was never subjected to trade rumors.”

– Barry Jackson/Miami Herald

Bam Adebayo is viewed as “Heat Royalty” in the eyes of the front office and coaches.

Another interesting, yet completely accurate, quote following the Herro-Adebayo news came from league insider Marc Stein of the Stein Line— where he added much more detail with the notion of Adebayo being the “chosen one.”

“He is Heat royalty for Micky Arison, Nick Arison, Pat Riley. He is the modern day Udonis Haslem. They consider him the absolute franchise pillar. I’ve always heard nothing but he’s held in high regards by his teammates… He is the untouchable there. That part is for sure. He is an extension of Pat Riley, Spo, ownership.”

– Marc Stein

There is a majority of players and colleagues around the league that have the utmost respect for Adebayo. He was crowned the league’s social justice champion this past season. He has been the Heat’s captain for years, taking the reins from 20-year Heat legend Udonis Haslem to be next in line for a leadership role.

That type of respect isn’t given, it’s earned. And it is simple to come to the conclusion of which “former” players felt entitlement from Adebayo’s relationship with Miami.

Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro have now both made things ugly on their way out.

The reality is that both Jimmy Butler and Herro went away from the main thing in their way out, which is winning a championship. They were due for max extensions and that became the priority, more specifically for Butler’s case.

But the Heat were reluctant to offer those financial resources to a pair of players that were aging (Butler) and struggled with availability issues for most of their Heat tenure.

Something that nobody can argue other wise with Adebayo is that he is reliable. He is a shoe-in to play in 70+ games consistently every season, even if it means playing through nagging injuries.

Not to mention, a walking 20-10 double-double and one of the most elite defenders in the entire association. Miami chose the right guy.

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