Like LeBron, Spoelstra sees Bam as ‘dynamic, unique, impactful’
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra stopped short of naming names. Bam Adebayo, after all, has enough on his plate this postseason, let alone having to deal with the NBA’s ultimate comparison.
That had Spoelstra watching his words — sort of — when asked if he could recall having a player who has been asked to do so much on both ends of the court for the Heat in so many big moments.
“I can,” Spoelstra said during a media session ahead of Monday night’s Game 4 of the Heat’s best-ofseven Eastern Conference playoff series against the Indiana Pacers at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex. “But I’m not going to mention the name. You guys can probably figure it out from there. “But, yeah, I have.”
Based on where he was headed, this was far less complex a task than deciphering the twists and turns Spoelstra had thrown at the Pacers as the Heat moved to their 3-0 series lead in the NBA’s quarantine setting.
No, Spoelstra never came out and said the words “LeBron” and “James,” but made it apparent that LeBron James’ Heat to-do list has been forward to Adebayo.
“Bam, I challenge him daily to take on all the one-through-five responsibilities on both ends of the court, and he just gobbles it up,” he said of Adebayo assuming roles on both ends, from point guard to center, similar to what became asked of James during the Heat’s run to four consecutive NBA Finals from 2011 to 2014, including championships in 2012 and ‘13.
“He’s one of the most dynamic, unique, impactful players in this entire Association. He will continue to get better because of his approach.”
While Adebayo’s numbers have yet to grow as gaudy as LeBron’s,
Spoelstra said the contribution of the 23-year-old 2017 first-round draft choice is strikingly tangible.
“When I say better, everybody just assumes I’m talking about numbers,” Spoelstra continued. “I’m talking about winning. This guy is going to continue to figure out how to win bigger and help your team advance.”
James has been gone from the Heat for six seasons, but apparently remains a means of comparison, even without name uttered.
“You just know at the end of the day,” Spoelstra said of Adebayo, “he’s going to put his fingerprints all over that competition and somehow impact your team to help put you in a position to win.”
Assist credited
Among the various bonds credited with building the Heat’s success is one between rookie guard Tyler Herro and assistant coach Chris Quinn that began even before Herro was a member of the franchise.
“Me and Quinny are very close,” Herro said. “Ever since I did my pre-draft workout here, in Miami, he was someone that I kind of built a relationship with. And obviously being drafted here and continuing to build a relationship, I put my trust in him and he trusts me. And we just continued to put work in every single day.
“We watch the film. We jot down notes on what we see, and we share with each other. We just continue to get better every day. We look at what I’m doing wrong and just trying to get better at that and trying to improve my weaknesses.”
Something’s fishy?
No, Kelly Olynyk said, he has not sampled the $20 coffee Jimmy Butler is advertising outside his Disney room. But the backup Heat center, known for his Kellz’ Kitchen YouTube clips, wouldn’t mind something more substantial.
“I’m not a coffee drinker,” he said. “But if he comes some up with Jimmy Butler spicy tuna rolls, I’ll be right in there.”