Undoubtedly, Bam Adebayo, a standout player for the Miami Heat, had a busy offseason after winning his second gold medal with Team USA. Adebayo will undoubtedly remain the team’s main player for many years to come, as seen by the large contract extension he also inked.
After, to put it mildly, a phenomenal offseason, Adebayo now seems to be entering his finest season to yet. According to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald, he would sum up his summer in one word: exciting. In retrospect, Adebayo made franchise history by becoming the first player to win multiple gold medals in Paris.
Heat’s Bam Adebayo is running with Team USA in a historic Olympic run.
After defeating France in the gold medal game of men’s basketball at the Accor Arena in Paris, 2024 Olympic Summer Games, American center Bam Adebayo (13) celebrates.
Rob Schumacher – Magnum Photos
With players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and other superstars, Adebayo was part of a very strong Team USA this year, but he still stood out by providing excellent defense and explosive scoring bursts when called upon. In addition to calling his Olympic performance “historic,” he would also mention his exciting offseason.
Adebayo remarked, “Obviously, getting an extension and being able to keep one is a great feeling.” Being a member of a squad that is called the ‘Dream squad,’ when it comes to the Olympics, is one of the most historic things I have ever done. It’s difficult to express how amazing it is to be a part of a team that features three first-ballot Hall of Famers (LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry) working together to accomplish one last feat.
While head coach Erik Spoelstra was an assistant coach on Team USA, where the two embraced after the tournament concluded with USA defeating France in the gold medal game, Adebayo was not the only Heat representative in the Olympics. Teammate Nikola Jovic of the Heat participated in the competition as well, representing Team Serbia, which took home the bronze medal.
He is now focused on the upcoming season and hopes to improve after averaging 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 52.1 percent from the field with the contract extension and Olympics in the rearview mirror. His increased three-point shooting was one element of his game that gave fans and Adebayo a lot to talk about.
Bam Adebayo discusses the Heat’s improved three-point shooting.
Last season, he had a little run of games near the finish when he made at least one deep shot, which showed that he was improving on it. LeBron James even made a joke during the Olympics joking that he and Adebayo were the new “Splash Brothers.”
Adebayo made 14 of 28 attempts from beyond the arch during the final 17 games of the regular season, or 50% of the total. This is much greater than the 7.1 percent he had through his first 54 appearances in 2023. Adebayo told The Miami Herald that he didn’t just focus on improving it during the offseason, even though there’s no doubt he continued working on it.
Adebayo declared, “I’m always looking to improve everything—it’s not just one thing specifically.” It goes without saying that everyone will draw attention to the three-point shooting. However, in my opinion, it’s similar to making decisions when you have to be able to read the game, make plays, and act as the team’s second coach in addition to the head coach. Being able to communicate and comprehend the game’s objective even when we can’t hear [coach Erik Spoelstra] because he’s on the far end.
As I previously stated, everyone will see my three-point shooting and say, “Oh, that’s what he focused on. Naturally, I did,” Adebayo went on. It has to be developed. Being a three-level scorer is what every great player aspires to become, and it’s what I work for. However, in my opinion, there are other factors that contribute to development.
Bam Adebayo of the Heat hopes to maintain his defensive hegemony.
Adebayo’s offensive game has always been an interesting subject to study because, in addition to his post work, spectators get to witness him honing his mid-range skills. His defense, which some even claim makes him the best player in the NBA, is the one aspect of his skill set that people need not be concerned about.
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