"It speaks to his top-shelf talent that he averaged 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 combined steals and blocks this past season and still had what would be considered a down year. He wasn't really mentioned in All-Star talks and saw his streak of five consecutive All-Defensive selections unceremoniously snapped. That said, it also at least partly explains why the Heat never got into a groove last season (with, of course, another huge explanation being Jimmy Butler's prolonged departure)."
"While it'd be theoretically helpful to have him demand defensive attention on the outside, this perimeter push took him away from what he does best: wreak havoc around the rim. He is borderline unstoppable from close range (career 72.8 percent within three feet), but he never spent less time on the interior than he did last season (career-low 21.3 percent of his shots came from that range)."
Bam Adebayo's return to prime form will determine Miami Heat’s 2025-26 prospects. He averaged 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 combined steals and blocks last season yet experienced a down year, missing All-Star consideration and losing a five-year All-Defensive streak. A perimeter expansion produced a career-high 79 three-pointers at 35.7 percent but coincided with a career-low 18.9 player efficiency rating and reduced interior activity. Adebayo shot a career-low 21.3 percent of attempts within three feet despite a 72.8 percent conversion rate there. Restoring aggression and interior dominance is essential.
Read at All U Can Heat
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