Without a good defense, winning games in the NBA is tough. While most fans love the extravagant scoring runs and moves, having a great defense is equally important. We have seen countless times when a defensive team has given an offensive team a run for their money.
In the current NBA, the Miami Heat are one of the best defensive teams. They have some elite defenders, including the All-Star center Bam Adebayo. Over the last few seasons, Adebayo has grown in all aspects.
But the biggest leap that fans have seen in his game is his defensive acumen. The 25-year-old already has 3x NBA Defensive team selections, and the best seasons of his career are yet to come.
Bam may one day become the Defensive Play of the Year award as well, but there’s still some time in that becoming a reality.
Bam Adebayo Gets Called Out For His Recent Claims
Ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season, Adebayo is seemingly full of confidence. So much so that the Heat center has subtly thrown shade at Marcus Smart for not being a defender who can defend 1-5 positions on the court. Adebayo believes only he, Draymond Green, and Giannis Antetokounmpo possess that skill.
“The argument last year [when Marcus Smart won the award] was that giving it to a guard meant giving it to someone who actually guarded all positions. So you could certainly say the argument for the guy who eventually won it applied the same to you?
I feel like I’m damn near the only guy. Me, and I give Draymond [Green] and probably Giannis, three guys who can literally guard 1-through-5 and be effective. Switch on to a Kyrie. Switch onto KD. Switch onto Joel Embiid. The thing about guards winning it is they don’t be down there. They don’t be in that semi-circle.”
These claims by Adebayo obviously didn’t sit well with NBA fans and they roaster the Heat center on social media.
https://twitter.com/ClampPG/status/1576234761441288192
Bam cannot guard 1-5 😂😂😂
— Battery Acid (@BraedoM417) October 1, 2022
https://twitter.com/Luka_Donut/status/1576234871487275009
1-2 can just run under Bam's arms bruh
— RGT (@CyGasser) October 1, 2022
https://twitter.com/LouAye_/status/1576235031919747072
Kawhi and ben Simmons should be on there as well
— Lebron Fan (@LeGoatburner1) October 1, 2022
Bam can’t guard no PG lol
— Mr. Brightside🎇 (@LaRon_414) October 1, 2022
Jared Vanderbilt, Jerami Grant, Robert Covington just to name a few pic.twitter.com/IyUHJhEZq3
— AxL Urameshi🖤🛜🔆 (@AxLUrameshi) October 1, 2022
really forgot about this man b cuz he didn't take a layup pic.twitter.com/t3rnS3kHYF
— ElHefe-1985 (@1985Elhefe) October 1, 2022
These takes are always cap, Bigs are not guarding the point guard position that’s a mismatch
— Nemo (@Hollyw00d10) October 2, 2022
While no one is doubting Adebayo’s ability of being an elite defender, he still forgot about many other players who are excellent defenders. Ben Simmons is one of the most notable misses from his list. Simmons has shown throughout his career that he is an elite defender and can defend any position depending on the requirement.
