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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently noted that he sees quite a bit of similarity in the games of Draymond Green and Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo.
Adebayo, now playing in his third NBA season, has become an integral piece of Miami’s playoff aspirations. His numbers have improved on both ends of the floor, and opposing sides are starting to take note.
Kerr says Adebayo and Green are similar in their ability to make plays and defend in the paint. Green has been the heartbeat of the Warriors’ recent success, and Kerr thinks Adebayo can have a similar impact for the Heat:
“The similarity is the playmaking,” Kerr said, via the Miami Herald. “It’s rare to have a combination of a playmaking big and a guy that can defend the paint. Bam has had a fantastic season, and Miami is playing quite a bit like we have played over the last five years. And Bam is at the center of that offense like Draymond has been. It’s a good comparison.”
In his 53 appearances this season, Adebayo has racked up averages of 16.0 points on 58.2 percent shooting from the field, 10.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals in 34.6 minutes per outing. Those numbers are up from last season, when he averaged 8.9 points and 7.3 rebounds.
The Heat managed to top the Warriors on Monday night, 113-101. Jimmy Butler led Miami in scoring with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Adebayo had 13 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
Whether or not Bam Adebayo will enjoy the levels of success that Draymond Green has in his career remains to be seen. He’s a talented player with a bright future, but winning three championships and becoming a Defensive Player of the Year is a tall order.