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With how good the Miami Heat is right now, it's almost easy to overlook the fact that Bam Adebayo is actually in the midst of one of the best seasons of his career. Injuries have been an issue for the 24-year-old this year but there's no denying that when he's healthy Adebayo is indeed one of the top big men in the game today.
Statistically speaking, Bam is reaching new heights in his career. The Heat star is currently averaging a career-best 19.0 points on 54.1 percent shooting, 10.4 rebounds (also a career-high), 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 33.2 minutes per game. There is no doubt that Adebayo remains to be one of the most important players on the roster for the Heat and that without him, it's likely that Miami would not be where they are right now.
Adebayo recently sat down with Corey Holmes of FanNation to discuss his recipe for success. According to 6-foot-9 forward/center, it's all about sticking to a routine for him:
“Consistency is key,” Adebayo said. “I prioritize consistency over intensity. Sticking to my daily routine keeps me disciplined and on track to succeed every day; it’s the little things that add up and ultimately take you to that next level. My daily routine is all about nailing those little things: I wake up around 6, have my protein shake, go to the gym, then I go lift, then I go to practice. I finish up around 2:30, spend some time with my mom, and go to bed early. I’m making sure I’m drinking my gallon of water every day and eating right. It’s that consistency that’s gotten me to where I’m at.”
And this has gotten him to quite a special place right now. The one-time All-Star is an elite big man in the NBA and he's been integral to the success of his team. The Heat aren't sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference for no reason and it goes without saying that Adebayo has been a key part of this team's rise to the top.
Adebayo then discussed the mental aspect of the game. Getting stronger physically is a major requirement for athletes at this level. You don't get to where these guya are without dedicating your life to keeping your body in prime condition. However, as the Heat star shares, the mental facet of the sport is equally important:
“Mental strength is everything,” Adebayo said. “My internal drive is what motivated me to practice every single day and improve and get to where I am today. For me, it actually helps me if my mentality isn’t always calm 100% of the time. I had a lot of anger growing up, and I learned how to turn it into an advantage. It’s ‘my edge,' where I take that energy and go all out with it. But you need training to use that anger and make it an edge. It’s not about losing your temper – it’s about channeling that frustration or anger you have into fuel.”
It's great to hear how Adebyao has properly addressed his anger management issues and channeled them into something positive. This is not an easy task and as he implied, it sounds like Adebayo got some professional help to get this done. This should serve as great advice for the younger generation out there. In fact, this is applicable to all ages.
