Miami Heat: Can Bam Adebayo make Team USA?

Several players withdrawing from Team USA presents the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo with a chance to represent his country in September’s FIBA World Cup.

Although NBA free agency has dwindled, basketball fans should keep their chins up. The end of August marks the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup. For roughly over two weeks, national teams from all over the world will compete in China for a gold medal.

The U.S. National Team is the heavy betting favorite to win it all despite several of the NBA’s best American-born players withdrawing. These withdrawals have left Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo with a shot at making Team USA.

Many may scoff at Adbeyao being on the roster due to his pedestrian per game averages of just 8.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game. However, it should be noted that these averages came in just 23.3 minutes per game, which ranked 151st in the league. Adebayo is certainly capable of playing more, as evidenced by his play post-All-Star break last year.

In 26.0 minutes, he averaged 11.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists a night. Combine this production — which includes an eFG% of .579 — with his stout defense and you have a very productive player. Now Miami’s premier big man, he should see a much bigger role — and subsequently, better production — next season.

For now, though, let’s focus on Team USA. The roster hasn’t been decided yet. 16 NBA players and make up the training camp roster, all vying for one of 12 spots.  The official roster will be announced on Aug. 17. Until then, the training camp roster will train in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The training will feature two scrimmages: One intrasquad scrimmage on Aug. 9 and an exhibition game vs. Spain on Aug. 16.

Adebayo was elated to receive an offer to play for Team USA. He still has to fight for his spot on the team, though. The other big men on the training camp Roster are Myles Turner, Mason Plumlee, Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez. The training camp roster also features some wings that could spend time at power forward such as P.J. Tucker, Kyle Kuzma and Harrison Barnes, which means that one of the bigs is likely to get cut.

So, does Adebayo have a chance at making the 12-man roster?

The competition is stiff, but Adbeyao certainly has a case for making it. His athleticism and high motor are attractive features of his game, and his passing IQ should open up more looks on offense. His defense is strong and he is likely willing to accept a diminished role to help the team. If he can transfer the clips below into the actual game, Adebayo can be somewhat dangerous on offense.

Yet, these selling points might not be enticing enough. Nothing about Adebayo’s game sets him apart from the others. All are tough defenders in the paint. Turner and Young are just as mobile as Adebayo is. Plumlee and Young are solid playmakers, too. Turner and Lopez even have something he doesn’t: The ability to shoot the 3-ball efficiently.

Lopez (2.3 3-point makes on 36.5 percent shooting in 2018-19) and Turner (1.0 made on 38.8 percent shooting) have shown the ability to hit 3-pointers for years now. Even Young has had seasons in which he shot well, such as this past one when he shot 34.9 percent from downtown on 1.8 3-point attempts per game. Adebayo hasn’t been able to shoot consistently in his short NBA career.

With Turner and Lopez being able to shoot well from behind the arc, Adebayo will have to outplay two others who play very similarly to him. This doesn’t give Bam much room for error. If he can’t distinguish himself from the other two, he’s essentially leaving his chances of making the final 12-man roster up to a difficult and close decision from the Team USA officials and coaches.

If Adebayo doesn’t make the team, it certainly isn’t because of his lack of talent, but rather an abundance of talent from all the available candidates. Lopez, Turner, Plumlee and Young are all very solid veteran big men.

For Adebayo to be competing for spots with these guys at only 22 years of age with only two years of NBA experience is encouraging. It shows how good he is currently and how much potential he has.

Making the final Team USA roster will be a challenge for Adebayo. With several skilled players at his position, he’ll have to outperform them in the remaining practices and scrimmages to earn a spot. Should he play well enough, he’ll be rewarded with the chance to represent his country in the World Cup, a chance that he’s eager to get.