MIAMI — Bam Adebayo appreciated the moment Tuesday when he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the first time in his seven-year career, but the Miami Heat center's goals will also be recognized on nights like Wednesday, when the league announces its 2024 All-NBA teams ahead of the start of the Western Conference finals.
Adebayo said that while he is positioned as a defensive specialist at this stage of his career, he hopes he will eventually be recognized for more than the unique defensive skills that got him a breakout role in the NBA.
“I feel like that’s what I was when I came into the league,” he said, “but if you look at my stats and the way I’ve played, you’ll see I’ve developed into a two-way player.
“So I wouldn't say I'm necessarily stereotyped, but I know, a lot of my biggest offensive moments, I've been on some offense. But defensively, I know I've been through a lot. For me, I feel like I'm really a two-way player, rather than just stereotyped as, 'He's a great defender.'”
One of the reasons Adebayo was in the spotlight for Wednesday night's All-NBA selections was because it was a selection that could trigger a supermax extension this summer.
For Adebayo, it's simple math. For the Heat, it's a bit more complicated.
As an All-NBA selection, Adebayo will be eligible for a four-year, $245 million extension in July; otherwise, his eligibility will be limited to a three-year, $165 million extension.
With the Heat concerned about the luxury tax and salary cap, Adebayo's max extension would start at a salary of $51.2 million in 2026-27, otherwise he would have a $39.1 million cap hold that season.
Adebayo said the opportunity to showcase his versatility on both ends of the floor is a matter of the team concept that runs through both wings under head coach Erik Spoelstra.
“Defense isn't just about me,” he said. “It's the other four guys on the court that make this work and navigate how Supo wants it, how I want it, how the team wants it.
“And we want to have fun on the other side as well. So when it comes to the other side, I rely a lot on my teammates to feed the ball, give us easy baskets, set the rhythm, It makes the whole game easier.”
As the NBA's awards season draws to a close, the focus outside of the league's playoffs has shifted to the draft, including Adebayo.
In fact, Adebayo said he's especially proud of the draft prospects he's trying to emulate his defensive ability at all five positions.
“Being as versatile as possible is what got me on the court,” he said, “so when I see kids doing that and wanting to emulate that, it's just a respect for you and what you've done so far in this league.”
Haslem's point of view
Former Heat captain Udonis Haslem expressed his thoughts on the Heat's current situation after being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, including the possibility of re-installing Tyler Herro as the sixth man and adding size alongside Adebayo. He made his position clear in the episode. His The OGs Podcast.
Haslem, who works as a studio analyst for ESPN and NBA TV, stressed his thinking is separate from his role as a Heat executive and the work of Heat president Pat Riley and the team's personnel department.
“I have my opinions,” Haslem said, “but I don't have a seat at the table. I'm not a coach. I don't make any calls. You understand what I'm saying? I don't rotate. I'm just a guy that continues to drive the culture and is focused on being a champion before you are a champion.”
“But at the end of the day, I don't have a seat at the table to make those decisions. But I understand there are championship expectations here and it's Lyles' job to focus on that.”
Haslem added, “I'm sure the top guys over there will figure it out. That's their job.”
