Q&A: Bam Adebayo values his position as the defensive team’s quarterback for the Heat
The Heat player’s ‘workhorse’ mindset and loud defense leadership have become indispensable to Miami.
Bam Adebayo, a big man with the Miami Heat, is the obvious choice for the Kia Defensive Player of the Year award.
Riding that approach to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023, he is the defensive signal caller for one of the toughest teams in the game. Adebayo, 26, has been selected to NBA All-Defense teams four times. Over the previous four seasons, the 6-foot-9 forward/center has been in the Top 5 of the DPOY voting.
Because of the positive outcomes for the winning club, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has approved of the award as one that is worthwhile to pursue. Adebayo has thus been sincere in his search for it.
Adebayo discussed his role as Miami’s defensive captain and what it takes to succeed on that side of the ball with NBA.com on Wednesday in the first of many interviews with contenders for this season’s DPOY award. This Q&A has been condensed from that extended discussion:
NBA.com: In your opinion, how has this season gone so far, especially now that you’ve recovered from your hip injury?
Bam Adebayo: Oh my goodness, I think we gained a lot of experience as a team this fall. Guys have come and gone from the lineups. Even with large leads, we have lost games. We have prevailed in close games. We’ve all changed as a result of those teachings. Everyone has made progress toward a 1% improvement in whatever that may be. That may be handling a cut to the back. Your percentage of free throws might be rising as a result. or anything at all. Everyone, in my opinion, has made progress toward a 1% improvement.
When you sum together all those 1% gains, it becomes significant.
100% of the time. [Giggles] That’s why we’re in that culture.
When players are injured, the conversation usually centers on who will provide the assists or points. However, what effect does it have on a defense when some individuals are absent, fresh faces are added, and other guys are attempting to join the imaginary “string” that the five men are meant to remain attached to?
The biggest thing a defense will miss while players are out is conversation. There will always be one or two most outspoken defense participants. The engine runs because of their heat. Who’s to say that the conversation needs to go on after a guy leaves? That’s the issue I believe many defenses encounter as it means you’re not in agreement. As soon as one of
When and how did you come to appreciate defense? Was it in a North Carolina high school? During your time at Kentucky? Or have you found this to be specific to Miami?
No, I’ve always been a defensive person. That’s undoubtedly how I ended up on the Miami court. However, I believe it stems from having a workhorse mindset. Being accessible and keeping up the work. Defense is just that: effort, effort, effort. As Spo sometimes states in the media, “multiple efforts.” To “burn that extra calorie and get there” is what it means to be willing. In real life, we say that.
Every representative counts. becoming a defense technician. being in the proper location. Speaking. watching movies and discovering the habits of men. It is important. You realize that the game slows down and becomes possession-based as you reach the playoffs.
In this league, it’s not uncommon for offensively inclined players to be prodded or prodded to become better defenders. You have chosen to go in the opposite way—becoming a defense with an increasing offensive output. For the past seven seasons, your shooting percentage and scoring average have increased. Although that seems enjoyable, how have you ensured that your defense hasn’t been compromised?
Being on defense does not guarantee that you will be in closeouts all the time. It doesn’t imply you have to play one-on-one and that your guy will get the ball. I’ll be there verbally certain nights, but other times I’ll be protecting the No. 1 or No. 2 option. Telling them where the screen is going to appear. “Be mindful of the rear entrance!” My moment to be aggressive is when we receive the rebound. I’ve said enough out loud; it’s time to shut up now.
