Apr 20, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) looks to shoot in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images David Richard-Imagn Images

Miami Media Personalities Suggest Bam Adebayo Has Reached Ceiling

Originally posted on Miami Heat on SI
By Shandel Richardson | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 12:16 PM ET

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo heard criticism from the fans after Wednesday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2.

On Thursday, Adebayo heard it from the media. Local media personalities Dan Le Batard and Jonathan Zaslow took Adebayo to task over his inconsistent play.

"Bam taking threes on the perimeter," Le Batard said on his show. "And they're also down 17 at the half because they're getting nothing at the rim. Nothing is happening at the rim and Cleveland is saying, `Go ahead Bam, we'll let Davion Mitchell and Tyler Herro try to take their chances. We're not going to going to let you beat us.' And Bam's like, `Ok, I won't be the one who beats you."'

Do we know who Bam Adebayo is? pic.twitter.com/0nDwrXepLe
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) April 24, 2025

Adebayo finished with 11 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. It wasn't enough to prevent a 2-0 deficit in the series. Things return to Miami for Game 3, but more is needed from Adebayo. Zaslow, who also appeared on the Le Batard Show, said maybe it's time to accept Adebayo isn't a primary scorer.

"We can't do this every single year," Zaslow said. "We know who he is by now and that means he can't be your No. 2 scoring option ... He's a No. 3 scorer who could do other things as good as anybody in the league and that's going to be this Heat team's shortcoming this postseason."

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This article first appeared on Miami Heat on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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