When we talk about the best and most versatile defenders in the NBA, Bam Adebayo has to be in that conversation. Adebayo is an extremely talented defensive big man. He is strong and athletic enough to guard some of the best big men in the game, but also agile and nimble enough to move with guards on the perimeter. Bam Adebayo is definitely a special star, and there are few that can match his ability on defense.
Despite Bam Adebayo having a good case for the DPOY, he has gone unnoticed for a large part of the season. This is partly because the Miami Heat have been inconsistent this season. That has led to less attention from the media, as compared to when the Heat were making their improbable run to the NBA Finals. Despite their inconsistency, the Miami Heat have had one of the best defenses in the league, and Bam Adebayo believes that he should be a real candidate for the DPOY award.
Bam Adebayo asked if he feels like a DPOY candidate: Yeah, I do….I float under the radar because I'm not a big name in this NBA pic.twitter.com/l7xLSW5w1p
— Brendan Tobin (@Brendan_Tobin) May 3, 2021
Bam Adebayo definitely has a point about flowing under the radar, as his defense hasn’t been getting the attention that it deserves. Bam Adebayo’s individual performance on defense has been stellar, and there are many instances where you can see how he can switch seamlessly from PG to C, showing his versatility.
There are other deserving candidates for the award, but it is clear that Bam Adebayo’s defense has almost become underrated by many. While Bam Adebayo may not end up winning the award itself, it is still obvious that he is one of the best defenders in the league.
