Miami Heat: The incredible evolution of Bam Adebayo

While his emergence during the regular season was impressive enough, Bam Adebayo’s incredible playoff run has led the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals.

The ascension of Bam Adebayo in the 2019-20 season for the Miami Heat has been both rapid and remarkable.

Entering the season, Adebayo was certainly primed for somewhat of a breakout year, given his impressive finish to the season prior when he eventually took over the starting reins for the Heat from Hassan Whiteside. However, the manner in which Adebayo’s presence has unlocked so many aspects of the Heat’s makeup this season has been astonishing.

Named an All-Star and selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, Adebayo’s ability to influence the game at both ends of the floor was a feature of his regular season campaign. But it has been the manner in which he has taken his game to another level this postseason in the bubble that has gained Adebayo even further admiration.

Through 15 playoff games, the 23-year-old Adebayo is averaging 18.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.2 assists while shooting at a 57.1 percent clip from the field. To put this in perspective, only Wilt Chamberlain has posted these numbers through the opening 15 games of a playoff campaign, per Stathead.

In his latest performance, Adebayo was at the absolute top of his game as the Heat defeated the Boston Celtics, 125-113, clinching the Eastern Conference Finals series and earned the franchise their sixth trip to the NBA Finals where they’ll face LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Playing 39 minutes, Adebayo posted 32 points on 11-of-15 shooting along with 14 rebounds and five assists in a simply majestic display.

In particular, he closed the game in dominant fashion, posting 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the final quarter, and that’s the first time this has been recorded in NBA playoff history.

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Following this momentous outing, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoestra was singing the praises of his star center:

"“Bam’s one of the great competitors already in this association, he’s going to become one of the great winners because he’s so competitive, he moves the needle….he competes every single possession, he’s really growing into a leadership role, he’s mature way beyond his years, his offensive game is just growing daily.”"

Through the opening three playoff series, Adebayo has faced some terrific coverages, each with a varying approach at the defensive end of the floor. However, the next challenge, the Lakers, could prove to be his ultimate test.

Aside from the obvious imposing presence of LeBron James, it’s the Lakers’ man in the middle, Anthony Davis, the definition of the modern-day big that will be awaiting Adebayo. In addition to being selected to the All-NBA First Team, Davis was also selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the second time in his career. At 6’10” and with a 7’5″ wingspan, Davis’ overall versatility at both ends of the floor is the ultimate challenge for any big currently in the league.

But challenges are no stranger to Adebayo. With his transition from starter to All-Star to dominant playoff performer a seemingly natural progression, the task of facing up against the premier big man in the league is an adventure that Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat cannot wait to embark upon.