Bam Adebayo could become Miami Heat’s youngest NBA All-Star

When the Heat drafted Bam Adebayo in 2017, there were concerns if he could keep up in today’s NBA.

Some felt Adebayo was too much of a throwback to when centers lumbered up and down the court during the days of Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon.

Not only has Adebayo proved the doubters wrong in his third season, he’s put himself in position to make franchise history. Through Wednesday, he was averaging 15.2 points and 10.7 rebounds and is on pace to become the youngest Heat player to make the NBA All-Star Game.

AllStar! https://t.co/EPBWjXbMHe
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) December 17, 2019

In 2005, Dwyane Wade made his first appearance at 23. Adebayo would be a few months younger if he is chosen for this season’s game in mid-February in Chicago.

Several peers have already endorsed him, including Wade. After the Heat defeated the Dallas Mavericks last week, former Heat teammate Josh Richardson took to social-media to offer his vote for Adebayo.

“Bam is an All-Star,” Richardson tweeted following the game.

NBA Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley also chimed in during a recent broadcast when he praised Adebayo. Barkley referred to him as a “monster.” It was a rare compliment from Barkley, who over the years has been overly critical of the Heat.

Adebayo has been good as advertised since he was chosen in the lottery after playing one season at Kentucky. He was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week after recording triple-doubles against the Atlanta Hawks and Mavericks. The production has solidified Heat team president Pat Riley’s decision to remain committed to developing Adebayo. Last summer the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets wanted the Heat include Adebayo in trade talks for Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul but ownership declined both times.

The Heat were so invested in Adebayo they named him the team’s starting center shortly after last season and were comfortable trading Hassan Whiteside to Portland in July. Thus far, the move has been nothing but beneficial.