This is the first time Adebayo has been a finalist for DPOY.
The Miami Heat had some representation when the NBA released the three finalists for various awards, including the honors of Defensive Player of the Year. For the first time in his career, Heat star Bam Adebayo is a finalist for the award as himself and head coach Erik Spoelstra talk about the big-man getting recognition.
The 2023-24 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year finalists pic.twitter.com/MVKaJnYN53
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 21, 2024
There could be some shock that this is the first time Adebayo is a finalist as year in and year out, he is considered one of the best defensive players in the league. Even the University of Kentucky product himself is glad that voters are “actually paying attention” and had a slight sarcastic, but funny tone when saying that “they’re actually watching the games.”
“I guess the [voters] are actually paying attention,” Adebayo said. “They’re actually watching the games, paying attention to what I do that’s not only showing up in the stat book.”
Bam Adebayo and being a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year.
“They’re actually watching the games and paying attention…” #HeatCulture pic.twitter.com/GQXixxWE6c
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) April 23, 2024
Adebayo says guarding every position on the floor is a “luxury to have”
Adebayo’s defense is usually his shining spot, but as he mentioned, his statistics might not show it since he doesn’t rack up a load of blocks like the other two finalists in Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert or San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama. However, the advanced statistics like one being field goal percentage against is excellent and how he’s one of the few players in the league that can guard any position on the floor, which to him is a “luxury to have.”
“I feel like when you put your center on anybody on the court whether it’s a star players, role players, big men, whatever the case may be, I feel like that’s a luxury to have,” Adebayo said.
Erik Spoelstra talks Adebayo’s “elite” defense being recognized
If there is one person that has been asking Adebayo to be in contention for Defensive Player of the Year for several years, it is definitely Erik Spoelstra who has praised the star on countless occasions in how versatile defensively he can be. When asked to give his thoughts on his first finalist nomination, Spoelstra said that it is “great to see that he’s acknowledged” for his exceptional defense.
“It’s great to see that he’s acknowledged for the efforts that he does, our team defense was very good this year, he was a major part of that,” Spoelstra said. “And his ability to do things that help your defense at the elite level that are not obvious, that are not just shot blocking or protecting the rim, it’s being able to do multiple coverages to be able to guard one through five, and do it consistently every single night at his very best.”
Heat teammate believes Adebayo is DPOY
Another player that has been singing the praises of Adebayo’s defensive ability who is new to his talents are Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. who talked after the play-in tournament win about his teammate defending Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan. He would flat out say that he has been the Defensive Player of the Year.
“I think he’s Defensive Player of the Year in the league and he showed it again tonight why that’s the case,” Jaquez said last Friday. “Guarding from bigs to DeMar DeRozan on the wing, he’s just absolutely incredible. And the presence is really felt, we feel like he really anchors us on a defensive end and so to be able to have a guy like that, it’s just a blessing.”
Adebayo was really good on both ends of the floor in the Game 1 loss to the Boston Celtics Sunday afternoon as he led the Heat with 24 points and six rebounds. He looks to continue his solid play along with the improvement of the rest of the team as Miami looks to make this a competitive series in Game 2 which takes place Wednesday night at the TD Garden.
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