Miami Heat rookie big man Bam Adebayo had an impressive showing in NBA Summer League. We set five goals for him to fulfill in his first season as a pro.
After a thrilling seven-game stint in the 2017 NBA Summer League — both in Orlando and Las Vegas — Bam Adebayo proved that the Miami Heat knew what they were doing when they drafted him at No. 14 back in mid-June.
The rookie flashed skill with the ball in his hands (as a dribbler and a shooter), urgency on the offensive glass and a rare level of athleticism unbecoming of a 240-pounder like himself.
Now that Summer League is over, however, it’s time we look towards the future — a future that includes suiting up every night against actual NBA competition, and not just fringe prospects.
Sure, Adebayo was spectacular over the past few weeks, but facing the best of the best is a whole different story. Thankfully, the former Kentucky Wildcat will have great mentors as a member of the Heat.
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There’s Hassan Whiteside, who played at a near-All-Star level last season, Udonis Haslem, a vet with championship experience (Haslem hasn’t technically re-signed yet, but it has to be just a matter of time at this point…right? Right?!) and ex-players like Juwan Howard and Alonzo Mourning, who can teach Adebayo what it’s like to be a true professional.
As a fun exercise, we have created a type of barometer with which to measure the young big man’s rookie season. Here are five goals for Adebayo to fulfill during his first year in the NBA.