Heat find the upside
team, when somebody comes back, to get as many guys playing well and at a high level as you can.”
Adebayo, last June’s first-round pick out of Kentucky, said Whiteside’s mentorship was particularly helpful, after he went for three rebounds against the Boston Celtics in the second of his three fill-in starts, followed by a 13-rebound effort against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.
“Hassan was like, ‘You’re already in the paint, might as well go grab a couple of rebounds,’ ” Adebayo said in an on-point Whiteside impression.
“So it was just being active on the glass, turning to the ball the way it hits off the rim and just go and get it.”
Adebayo said getting to start so early in his career was particularly meaningful.
“I couldn’t ask for nothing better, just getting the experience, getting the feeling of what it’s like going out there first,” he said. “I feel like the game is slowing down a little bit. Because the first game, I was, ‘I got to do this, I got to do that.’ By the third game, I was able to pace myself.” on defense,’ ” he said. “So a quick flush and then sprint back, and I’m back on defense. So that’s how I look at it. Just throw it in and just keep it moving.”
Adebayo said he got kick out of Kentucky coach John Calipari noting on Twitter that Adebayo’s first double-double, Monday against the Timberwolves, came against another former Wildcats center, Karl-Anthony Towns.
“Love it!” Calipari posted. “And it was on @KarlTowns. Figures. LOL!”
Said Adebayo with a smile, “I guess it’s something with him and Karl.”