JUST IN: Heat’s Bam Adebayo hilariously calls out East teammates after taking just two shots in All-Star Game
The weekend was a memorable one for Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo, who secured his third All-Star game selection and even earned a starting position due to Joel Embiid’s injury. Despite the game being an exhibition, Adebayo playfully teased his Eastern Conference teammates about needing to share the ball more, given he only attempted two shots, as reported by Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel.
“I need some teammates who know how to dish the rock, you know,” Adebayo quipped, poking fun at his fellow East team members. “It’s a tough crowd out there.”
While the final score of 211-186 demonstrated plenty of offense, Adebayo didn’t find many opportunities during the game. When questioned afterward about whether he attempted to encourage his teammates to pass him the ball, Adebayo expressed the challenges of asserting oneself in such a high-scoring affair.
“Hey, it’s not as simple as it sounds,” Adebayo remarked. “As much as I’d love to snag that MVP, sometimes you gotta let other guys shine.”
Adebayo says to “tell Spo” about his three-point shooting ability
Adebayo’s lone shot of the game left a lasting impression, as he executed a memorable play by bouncing the ball off Nikola Jokic’s back during an inbound pass and sinking a pull-up three-pointer. Reflecting on this highlight after the game, Adebayo jokingly suggested that the Heat’s head coach, Erik Spoelstra, should take note of his three-point shooting skills.
“Make sure to let Spo know,” Bam quipped regarding the three-pointer. “Pull up the clip, show Spo.”
Despite his limited opportunities during the game, Adebayo managed to contribute three points, along with two rebounds and two assists. Addressing the overall experience, he expressed gratitude for the chance to participate and work on making appearances like this a regular occurrence in his career.
“It’s always a fun opportunity,” Adebayo remarked. “I feel blessed to be able to come back, to try to make this a routine. Being here for my third time, seeing the familiar faces I came into the league with, it’s always special.”
Adebayo cementing himself with Heat legends
Adebayo’s inclusion as a starter in the All-Star game marked a significant milestone for the Miami Heat, as he became the first player from the team to achieve this since Dwyane Wade in 2016. Additionally, Adebayo joins an elite group of Heat players who have been selected for the All-Star game three or more times, including Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh. Reflecting on this honor and his association with these Heat legends, Adebayo emphasized the importance of respect.
“It’s all about respect,” Adebayo stated. “To be chosen for this game three times is truly an honor, and I aspire for it to become a regular occurrence in my career. It’s a testament to the recognition and respect from the coaches who voted for me, acknowledging my contributions and what I bring to the game.”
Adebayo further elaborated on the significance of being selected for the All-Star game, viewing it as a crucial step in achieving his ultimate career goals.
“It’s a milestone along the path towards your ultimate aspirations,” Adebayo elaborated. “When you reflect on your career, you want to be able to say, ‘I dedicated myself fully to the game of basketball.’ However, the ultimate goal remains to progress from being an All-Star to achieving All-NBA status, winning championships, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors, or whatever else lies ahead. Once you’ve accomplished one milestone, why not strive for the next?”
Adebayo addresses lack of competition in All-Star game
Adebayo also delved into the widely discussed issue surrounding the lack of competitiveness in the All-Star game, acknowledging the complexities involved. He recognized the challenge of balancing the desire for competitiveness with the risk of injury in a game that holds relatively little significance for the remainder of the season.
“It’s a tough situation,” Adebayo commented. “Because obviously, you don’t want anyone to sustain an injury. As for how to make it more competitive, I don’t have the answer. I was simply out there, enjoying myself, playing basketball – doing what we all love to do.”
This season, Adebayo has been posting impressive numbers, averaging 20.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game with a shooting percentage of 51%. The Miami Heat, with a record of 30-25, are aiming to make a statement after the break, currently positioned seventh in the Eastern Conference. Their next game is scheduled for Friday, February 23 against the New Orleans Pelicans.