The Miami Heat are aiming to return as an Eastern Conference contender in the post-Jimmy Butler era. While Erik Spoelstra’s team currently sits sixth in the Eastern Conference, one broadcaster thinks the group has a future Hall of Famer squarely in his prime on the roster.
A Nuggets Broadcaster Heaped Praise on Heat Star Big Man
The Miami Heat have had an encouraging season through 33 games, especially considering the injuries to key players on this roster. At 18-15, it’s been a group effort for this roster with players like Norman Powell, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kel’el Ware standing out.
Another key contributor, as always, has been Bam Adebayo. The three-time All-Star has been a cornerstone player for this franchise for nearly a decade and was the clear-cut second-best player on the Heat during their two NBA Finals runs.
Erik Spoelstra’s defense revolves around his star big man’s ability to guard all five positions and protect the rim, making him even more critical in the postseason.
More pundits are starting to appreciate what Adebayo brings to the table. During Monday night’s game between the Heat and the Denver Nuggets, Scott Hastings justified that the 28-year-old is on pace for a remarkable career achievement. The Nuggets broadcaster gave Adebayo a stunning compliment while sizing up his matchup with star center Nikola Jokic.
“Joker has kind of won that thing the last couple years. If you’re going to the international stuff, he gives Bam everything he can handle when Serbia plays USA. But it’s two guys that are both probably going to make the hall of fame. I think Bam is probably a hall of famer with all the stuff that he’s done in his career.”
Bam Adebayo Needs Another Gear to Reach Springfield
Unfortunately, this matchup of the elite big men was cut short due to Jokic’s left knee injury in the second quarter. Adebayo put up 13 points and 10 rebounds in the 147-123 victory, but he’ll need to find another level in his game to make the Hall of Fame.
So far, the 28-year-old has three All-Star appearances and five NBA All-Defensive selections to his name, meaning he has a long way to go resume-wise. Adebayo, however, is unlikely to play in this game for the second year in a row this season unless his team makes a drastic jump up the Eastern Conference standings.
Norman Powell has been the Heat’s best player this season, and the team’s current record likely means they will have only one representative at the All-Star Game. Adebayo should still be in his prime, but his shooting efficiency needs to return to above 50% levels, as seen earlier in his career, if he wants to start making All-Star and All-NBA teams.
The pressure is on the veteran as his three-year, $161,352,000 max extension kicks in next season. Overall, it’s not surprising that a Nuggets broadcaster has so much respect for the Heat star, considering the two franchises were in the NBA Finals a few years ago.
And even if this statement might not turn out to be accurate, when he was at his best, Adebayo was one of the league’s most underrated players. It’s nice to see him getting this kind of respect around the NBA.
