Meyers Leonard endorses Miami Heat teammate Bam Adebayo for Most Improved Player

Miami Heat forward Meyers Leonard needed only a few seconds before providing an answer.

When asked the criteria for choosing the league's Most Improved Player, Leonard just started rattling off the talents of teammate Bam Adebayo.

"There's one answer, it's Bam," Leonard said. "That's what it is. You talk about a young player who's developing into a superstar right before our eyes. When I was in Portland, I was wondering, `What is he capable of?' To be completely truthful, I thought he was an incredible, athletic player, gets it on the defensive end and can finish around the rim. We all now know that is true but there's so much more. It just blows my mind, No. 1, how talented he is but how far he's come just this season alone."'

Adebayo, a first-time NBA All-Star, is averaging career-highs in points (16.2), rebounds (10.5) and assists (5.1). He's recorded three triple-doubles and leads the Heat with 38 double-doubles. Adebayo on pace to become just the sixth player in NBA history to average at least 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. The others are Larry Bird, Chris Webber, DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Garnett and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Adebayo is up against some tough competition for the award. They include Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young.

"Bam is so impactful that to me there are a couple of other guys that I think are in the conversation," Leonard said. "But I truly believe that Bam Adebayo is the most improved played and well deserving of it."

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