Despite making a splashy offseason move to acquire star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Miami Heat are anything but hot to start the season. They are just 1-4 in their first four games and aren't looking like a contender in the Eastern Conference.
Despite Giannis playing well, they lack depth, and Bam Adebayo playing poorly has contributed to concerns about their potential. The Heat were always going to be a fringe contender in an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference. Unfortunately for them, their play to start the season hasn't won over any non-believers.
The Heat still clearly have a long way to go if they want to contend with the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, and it starts with their two best players.
The Miami Heat must rely more on Bam Adebayo to carry them
Giannis has looked like the player that they traded for, but Bam hasn't looked anything like a superstar. He is currently averaging just 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds through the team's first four games. For a player who scored 83 points in a game last season and is a three-time all-star, that simply won't cut it.
The season is still young, but Heat fans are no doubt concerned about how he's started this season. Remember, the Heat traded virtually all of their young talent and draft picks to acquire Giannis with the hope that he and Bam could form an elite duo that could dominate on both ends of the floor.
Thus far, only Giannis is carrying his weight; Bam definitely isn't doing the same. This Heat team will only work if Giannis is still a top-5 player and Bam is back averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds like he did last season. Barring that, the Heat's flame may not burn nearly as bright as expected.
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