ASK IRA: Has Bam Adebayo become a depreciating asset for the Heat?

5 days ago 2

Q: To think Bam Adebayo is the same guy some don’t think should be traded for a star, I will never forgive the people that made this kid a bigger deal than he actually is. He was never good enough to be in the forefront of a team, and it’s ridiculous how people try to excuse his lack of skill as being a max role player when even the things he specializes in don’t lead to wins. – Monica, Coral Gables.

A: Has Bam Adebayo been bad, borderline terrible lately? Not only is that hardly to deny, but Bam acknowledged as much in his postgame interviews after the loss in Minnesota. He has to be better. Period. And he knows it. But to your greater point, there also is a reason that respected, world-class coaches such as Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr have gushed about Bam’s abilities to contribute to winning, as he did just that with the Olympic teams. The problem is he is at his best when playing alongside quality players. Yes, he is being paid as a star. But let’s not overstate that element, since many in the NBA are paid beyond their standing. Among those earning more than Bam this season are LaMelo Ball, Darius Garland and Zach LaVine. Does Bam’s salary jump next season? Yes. But in the moment, he remains an elite defender by all standards, while acknowledging his offense has to be better. A bad month (OK, maybe a bit more), does not make a season.

Q: Ira, nothing Kasparas Jakucionis did in his Heat minutes indicated he needed to be banished to the G League. Aren’t we supposed to be developing? – Edwin.

A: First of all, thank you for answering your own question. The time in the G League is part of the development. With Tyler Herro back, someone was going to lose minutes. And when Jaime Jaquez Jr. returns, minutes will have to be further shaved from others in the wing rotation. While it would be one thing for a relative veteran such as Dru Smith, at 28, to sit without losing his edge, the last thing you would want is for a 19-year-old such as Kasparas Jakucionis to go extended time without game action. So, yes, the expectation here is another stint with the Sioux Falls Skyforce for Kasparas. And, no, not as punishment, but rather for needed development.

Q: Didn’t you recently say the Heat just needed Tyler Herro’s shot creation to stay afloat against Minnesota? – Mike, Hollywood.

A: I did. And they did. And he hardly was the problem. In fact, the return of Tyler’s scoring could potentially have turned the tide from Saturday’s loss to the Timberwolves if not for the Heat on Tuesday night in Minnesota getting 3-of-10 shooting from both Andrew Wiggins and Kel’el Ware, 3-of-11 shooting from Bam Adebayo, and 2-of-11 shooting from Davion Mitchell. Tyler is a value add, as Erik Spoelstra said, with the need now to surround that value with contributions from others.

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