Bam on pace to put mark all over Heat record book
Bam Adebayo is in only his seventh NBA season, but he continues to leave his mark on the Heat’s record book.
With Adebayo earning his 186th regular-season double-double in Sunday’s home win over Cleveland, he moved into sole possession of third place for the most career double-doubles in Heat history. The only players with more career regular-season double-doubles in a Heat uniform are Rony Seikaly (221) and Alonzo Mourning (205) Hassan Whiteside was third at 185.
Considering Adebayo is 26 years old and is expected to be on the Heat roster for years, it’s only a matter of time before he passes Mourning and Seikaly.
Adebayo joked that coach Erik Spoelstra should have used him more early in his career.
“I’m still mad at Spo because he didn’t really let me play my first two years,” Adebayo said with a smile ahead of Tuesday night’s home game against Golden State. “But it just shows the trust that, obviously, the coaches have in me to go out there and produce, but also believing in myself that I can be top five in everything for the franchise.”
Since Adebayo became the Heat’s full-time starting center in the 2019-20 season, only 10 NBA players have recorded more regular-season doubledoubles than him: Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert, Nikola Vucevic, Jonas Valanciunas, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Clint Capela and Trae Young.
The bottom line: Ade
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bayo is producing at a pace that would make him one of the greatest Heat players if he spends all or most of his career with the organization.
At Adebayo’s current pace, he and Dwyane Wade could be No. 1 and No. 2 as the Heat’s career leaders in categories such as two-point field goals made, free throws made, assists, steals and points. Adebayo also appears to be on his way to overtaking Udonis Haslem as the franchise’s leading rebounder within the next five seasons.
“He’s going to keep on passing all these franchise records,” Spoelstra said. “I think that is something to note that he is still a very young player, but his experience is so vast now. I mean, he’s got more playoff experience than almost anybody in the league at his age. That really matters to us.”
Since Adebayo entered the league in the 2017
NBA Draft, he has started 64 playoff games. The only players still in their 20s who have made more playoff starts since the start of the 2017-18 season are Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jokic and Antetokounmpo.
In addition, P.J. Tucker is the only player in the league who has appeared in more playoff wins than Adebayo since the start of the 2019-20 season. Adebayo and Heat co-star Jimmy Butler have appeared in 37 playoff wins during this stretch.
“You get a bunch of playoff experience with real competitors, you learn ... what really moves the needle with winning, and
Bam really cares about it,” Spoelstra continued. “But the fact that he’s been able to climb the charts in terms of the rebounding and the double-doubles and still be able to generate so many assists for us. That’s incredibly unique for a player of his size.”
Adebayo, who is averaging 3.9 assists per game this season and 3.5 for his career, has already played in three Eastern Conference finals series and two NBA Finals series, but he’s still never won an NBA championship. While multiple Heat records appear to be in Adebayo’s future, winning a title is at the top of his to-do list.
“For me, it feels weird if we don’t make the playoffs because I don’t know what to do with that summer,” said Adebayo, who is eligible to sign an extension with the Heat this offseason.
“But it’s just the experience of it. There’s nothing like it.
“The regular season and the playoffs are totally different. It’s possession by possession. When you have to think like that, everything matters. Turnovers, steals, missed shots, you start thinking about everything. So for me at a young age, it’s just great to have that opportunity.”
BUTLER OUT
Against the Warrriors on Tuesday night, the Heat remained without Tyler Herro (right foot medial tendinitis) and Duncan Robinson (back).
Kevin Love (bruised heel) was hoping to return after missing 13 games, but he also was ruled out.
On top of that, Butler missed Tuesday’s morning shootaround because of a non-COVID illness and also was ruled out.
The Heat listed Jaime
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Orlando Miami Atlanta Charlotte Washington Central
Milwaukee Cleveland Indiana Chicago Detroit
Southwest
New Orleans Dallas Houston Memphis San Antonio Northwest
Denver Oklahoma City Minnesota Utah
Portland Pacific
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TUESDAY Golden State at Miami L.A. Lakers at Milwaukee Oklahoma City at New Orleans Dallas at Sacramento
MONDAY
Cleveland 115, Charlotte 92 Atlanta 120, Boston 118
New York 124, Detroit 99 Brooklyn 96, Toronto 88 Washington 107, Chicago 105 Houston 110, Portland 92
San Antonio 104, Phoenix 102 Denver 128, Memphis 103
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Jaquez Jr. (ankle) and Caleb Martin (ankle) as questionable.
The only player on the Warriors’ injury report was Trayce Jackson-Davis, who was questionable because of right knee soreness.