The Heat started the season 0-4 but won their last two games to go 2-4. While the long-standing center of general defense Bam Adebayo struggled offensively during that first stretch, he was also one of the driving forces behind the two-game winning streak, writes Anthony Chung of The Miami Herald.
Adebayo says he and Janis Antecumpa are still learning how to best complement each other on the court, but they’re optimistic about the long-term.
“You can see that it can beAdebayo said.You see the potential. As for us, we have to stay consistent. Keep trying to collect those wins. Obviously, they are very worried about us. For us, it’s just believing in consistency and continuing to work at it.»
Head coach Erik Spoelstra made significant adjustments offensively in those fifth and sixth games of the season, Chan notes, with Adebayo getting more pick-and-roll opportunities and Antetokounmpo playing more on the baseline at the dunker spot.
“Some of the benefits of having him there is that he doesn’t have to burn as many calories“, Spoelstra said about Antetokounmpo playing the dunker spot most of the time.”And he’s a monster when he’s on the edge. You just saw rebounds on offense and also just being available down there.
“I don’t want him to be there all the time. He built a Hall of Fame career playing at the top of the floor, putting pressure on teams that way. But it kind of brings out a whole other side of him, whether it’s a dunker or a short post, that kind of thing. And that can help bring some variety to our overall menu and what our offense looks like.”
Here’s more on Heat:
- Antecumba played in a career-low 36 games last season, having never played fewer than 61 before. The two-time MVP tells Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel he has no intention of simply hanging up when he reaches 65 games in 2026/27, the minimum requirement to qualify for major post-season honours. “I don’t want to dwell on your 65th game“, Antetokounmpo said.Last year was the first time in my career that I played so few games and I didn’t like it. I didn’t like to sit and watch games. I love being there, I love competing. … The (65-game) rule for me, I don’t necessarily care about the rule. What I care about is trying to have the healthiest season, right? If it means playing 65 games, so be it. If that means playing 75 games, so be it.”
- The Heat see the five-game West Coast trip that begins Monday at the Lakers as a good opportunity to bond as a team. Winderman writes in a different story. “I feel like a long trip is always important for team camaraderie” Adebayo said as the Heat practiced at UCLA on Monday morning before Monday night’s game.You’re on the road for five games, not with your back against the wall, but you’re a long way off. So you don’t have fans, you don’t have the comfort of being in your own home. And it’s really just us.” Eric Nehm of The Athletic (free link) lists a few things the Heath can do on the court to make the trip a success.
- Pele LarsonAccording to Spoelstra (story via Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald). Antetokounmpo was very impressed with his new teammate. “He is one of the smartest players on the teamAntetokounmpo said of Larsson.He is going to get to his places. We have to give him room to work. And when he’s stuck, his footwork is so elite that he’ll find the open man. So you can cut back, you can find open space and he’s going to get you the ball. And that’s what I try to do. I try to play with him because I know there are going to be times when he’s going to give me the ball. … He plays hard. He is cruel. He competes. He’s a good leader, a good teammate. Able to shoot. He’s a guy you like to play with.”
