Bam Adebayo is gearing up for his eighth season, aiming to solidify his status as a bona fide superstar with the Miami Heat.
Adebayo is entering the 2024-25 NBA season as a three-time NBA All-Star and is fresh off winning his second Olympic gold medal.
With stakes higher than ever and expectations soaring, now is the perfect time to revisit the milestones that have defined Adebayo's journey with the Heat.
Jan. 23, 2021: Bam posts a career-high 41 points
41 points is the career-high in scoring for Adebayo, as we saw him essentially go against the "Big 3" Brooklyn Nets back on January 23, 2021. This was a game where the Heat were missing both Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro. Despite the 124-128 loss, the Heat needed Adebayo to be the guy and he did all he could on the scoring end to keep them in it. He finished shooting 14-20 from the floor and even hit a buzzer-beater three going into halftime. Adebayo also tallied nine assists on the night, truly serving as the offensive hub that we know he can be.
Coming off a 2020 NBA Finals appearance and seeing him take that next step as a scorer was a step in the right direction for not only the franchise but for him as a player. It gave him an earned confidence to mold himself into the scorer he is today, and he's only getting better.
Nov. 25, 2018: Bam dominates the boards
Moving onto rebounds, we'll have to go back to November 25, 2018, against the Toronto Raptors, where he snatched 21 rebounds and scored 16 points alongside Dwyane Wade who had a "Father Prime" game with 35 points. It resulted in another loss, but it was a big game for Adebayo who was coming off the bench behind Hassan Whiteside.
Adebayo has recorded one other 20-rebound game and has frequently come close to reaching that mark. The Heat, a team that prides itself on collective rebounding, often displays a balanced box score. However, Adebayo more often than not will step up with a dominant performance, showcasing his ability to take over the boards and stuff the stat sheet.
Dec. 10, 2019: Bam posts a career-high in assists
Adebayo's career high in assists is a special game because it also came during his first-ever career triple-double against the Atlanta Hawks on December 10, 2019, in a 135-121 overtime win. This was the first real look at the Adebayo-Duncan Robinson tandem that we still see today. Their dribble hand-off combo allowed Adebayo to attack the rim or get an open three for Robinson every possession.
He had shown flashes of being an appreciable passer, but this was the first time we could see him being an offensive hub for the team. While this is his career-high, it isn't the only time he's recorded 11 assists, he's done it five times total in his career.
Nov. 10, 2021: Career high in steals vs Lakers
Getting to the defensive side of the ball, Adebayo recorded six steals against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 10, 2021, and his chance to add to it was cut short as ironically enough, he fouled out on his career night. Adebayo fouled out late into overtime and the Heat ultimately suffered a 117-120 loss.
This past season, he swatted six shots as he earned his new career-high in blocks against Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies. This had all the makings of a personal game for Adebayo as he matched up with Jackson, the former 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner. Jackson was held to 5-21 shooting against Adebayo and the Heat, yet the Grizzlies still came out with a 105-96 win. It was a rough season for the Heat.
These are just the career highs for Bam Adebayo, but it's important to give notice to some of the bigger games he's played that deserve recognition as well.
April 21, 2021: Bam stuffs the box score
One of the most impressive games from Adebayo is his performance against the Brooklyn Nets on April 21, 2021. Funny enough this is the same season where he scored 41 points against the Nets. Adebayo finished the game with 21 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and the game-winner at the buzzer.
He also held the Nets to 3/17 shooting from the floor and when matched up with All-NBA guard Kyrie Irving, held him to 0-8 shooting. Truly a masterful performance from Adebayo on both sides of the floor.
Feb. 20, 2020: Bam's breakout
In Bam Adebayo's breakout 2019-20 season, he had numerous games that showcased his versatility. One underrated performance was his 28-point, 19-rebound, 7-assist, and 3-steal game, against the Atlanta Hawks on February 20, 2020.
This was yet another game where we could see the handle leading into the shot creation, the passing from every spot on the court, and the hard effort on the boards. It came in a loss, but with a fully healthy Heat team, it was impressive to see him take the team and try to lead them to victory when everyone else's play wasn't quite on par.
Nov. 6, 2023: Another stat-stuffer vs the Lakers
One last game that stands out is this past season against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 6, 2023. Do you want to talk about a stat sheet-stuffing game? Adebayo finished with 22 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, with two steals and two blocks. It was a monstrous game from Adebayo as he was dominant on both ends and led the Heat to a 108-107 victory. Anything you wanted from the big fella, you got it.
As Adebayo and the Heat prepare for the next 2024-25 season and sports just keep moving on, it's always important to remember the milestones and achievements of your franchise players. Time moves so fast that you never really get to appreciate what's happened and fully take in the journey with the team and the players. So, here is a reminder to look forward to the future, but appreciate the moment as well.
