- 1,277
- 86
- 48
Through both the team’s inconsistency and his own stellar play, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo has leaned on a valuable resource.
Adebayo often consults Heat forward Udonis Haslem, the valued 20-year NBA veteran and key member of the Heat’s three championship teams (2006, ’12, ’13) before taking a reduced role in recent seasons to mentor the team’s more prominent players.
“The only reason I got on the court is because of guys like UD honing in and giving us strict directions on how to defend,” Adebayo told NBA.com. “I’ve been somewhat of a little brother to him. He’s watching me grow. I can’t get mad about wins and losses because it’s my man’s last year. All I can do is put on a show for him.”
Adebayo’s mentor has enjoyed the show.
The Heat visited the Phoenix Suns on Friday with Adebayo averaging career-highs in points (21.8) and shot attempts (15.9) per game. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, guard Kyle Lowry and Haslem also have praised Adebayo for becoming a more vocal leader during his sixth NBA season.
“The more he talks, the less I have to do,” Haslem told NBA.com. “He takes over the huddles. He holds guys accountable. He’s engaged. He’s building that trust and relationship with guys. That’s what you want from your best player.”
Adebayo spoke to NBA.com about various topics, including his expanded scoring role, Haslem’s influence and missing out on last season’s Kia Defensive Player of the Year award.
Editor’s note: This 1-on-1 conversation has been edited and condensed.
What has accounted for your career-highs in scoring and shot attempts this season?
I was outworking myself into a flow. My teammates were working me into a flow. We’re doing a great job with emphasizing where my spots are and getting me in my spots.
What’s the key to execute that consistently?
Everybody loves the drop coverage. It’s one of those things where you develop touch shots and jumpers in the rectangle. I’m in tune with where I’m going and knowing how to maneuver. The sky is the game, in a sense. It’s all paint shots. But I’m doing that in a variety of different ways.
Adebayo often consults Heat forward Udonis Haslem, the valued 20-year NBA veteran and key member of the Heat’s three championship teams (2006, ’12, ’13) before taking a reduced role in recent seasons to mentor the team’s more prominent players.
“The only reason I got on the court is because of guys like UD honing in and giving us strict directions on how to defend,” Adebayo told NBA.com. “I’ve been somewhat of a little brother to him. He’s watching me grow. I can’t get mad about wins and losses because it’s my man’s last year. All I can do is put on a show for him.”
Adebayo’s mentor has enjoyed the show.
The Heat visited the Phoenix Suns on Friday with Adebayo averaging career-highs in points (21.8) and shot attempts (15.9) per game. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, guard Kyle Lowry and Haslem also have praised Adebayo for becoming a more vocal leader during his sixth NBA season.
“The more he talks, the less I have to do,” Haslem told NBA.com. “He takes over the huddles. He holds guys accountable. He’s engaged. He’s building that trust and relationship with guys. That’s what you want from your best player.”
Adebayo spoke to NBA.com about various topics, including his expanded scoring role, Haslem’s influence and missing out on last season’s Kia Defensive Player of the Year award.
Editor’s note: This 1-on-1 conversation has been edited and condensed.
What has accounted for your career-highs in scoring and shot attempts this season?
I was outworking myself into a flow. My teammates were working me into a flow. We’re doing a great job with emphasizing where my spots are and getting me in my spots.
What’s the key to execute that consistently?
Everybody loves the drop coverage. It’s one of those things where you develop touch shots and jumpers in the rectangle. I’m in tune with where I’m going and knowing how to maneuver. The sky is the game, in a sense. It’s all paint shots. But I’m doing that in a variety of different ways.