Bam Adebayo’s Defensive Mind Sets Him Apart From Everybody Else
Last season, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo was one of the best defenders to finish outside the top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
In a recent interview with Playmaker HQ, Adebayo talked about why defense is more important than offense to him.
“Everybody always looks at the last column, which is how many points did he score in the game?,” Adebayo said. “And people forget that other side of the court exists because of the entertainment business. So for me it’s just that will, that passion, that mentality. It’s just what I’ve been through and one of those niches I know I have. I want to get Defensive Player of the Year just so I can have the award.”
Adebayo has finished top five in Defensive Player of the Year voting almost every season. But last year, he felt he should have won it instead of Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson. On Feb. 27, a video went viral of an interview from sports journalist Taylor Rooks. In the interview, Adebayo made his case for the award.
"I guard 1 through 5," Adebayo said. "It's not a lot of us. Me, Draymond [Green], Giannis [Antetoukoumpo], who else? It has to translate and I feel like Rudy [Gobert[ in the playoffs didn't translate and Marcus Smart guards 1-4. That's the thing that I thought was different between me and them."
A four-time All-Defensive player, Adebayo has always been one to prioritize defense. In an offensive heavy league, he rarely looks to score. Sure, he averages 14 points for his career but he always reminding people how important defense.
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Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.
