Bam Adebayo has only one personal objective for the 2023–24 NBA season, it’s to be named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. The Miami Heat Center stated that he wants to eventually win that title. In an interview with Playmaker HQ, he said that he aims to solidify his status as one of the greatest defenders of all time. This becomes a challenge for the current DPOY, Jarren Jackson Jr. Adebayo also brought an emphasis on how the other side of the court needs to get more respect as compared to the offense.
Fans on the internet have always been split about him being a better defensive player than Jackson. But at the same time, Bam Adebayo has received unwarranted criticism from both fans and commentators ever since he made his Miami Heat debut as a starter in 2019. In the video, Bam mentioned how it takes a lot of will and effort to put their body in line for the game of basketball, especially in defense.
Many criticize Adebayo’s lack of strong offensive potential, and as a result, they fail to see the Heat star’s superior defensive abilities. But the big man, who is 26 years old, wants to permanently alter that.
“Everybody always looks at the last column, which is how many points did he score in the game? And people forget that the other side of the court exists because of the entertainment business. So for me, it’s just that will, that passion, that mentality. It’s just what I’ve been through and one of those niches I know I have. I want to get Defensive Player of the Year just so I can have the award” Adebayo said in the interview.
Bam Adebayo: “A lot of people be like, ‘Nah, I don’t wanna play defense. I just wanna go play offense ’cause it’s fun.’ It’s funner than getting stops. Everybody always looks at the last column, which is, ‘How many points did he score in the game?’ People forget that other side… pic.twitter.com/cljPo3ZOCh
— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) August 15, 2023
The comparison between Adebayo and Jackson is a difficult one. Adebayo’s problem is that he lacks blocks, a stat that DPOY winners at the center position frequently assemble. He averages 0.9 blocks per game throughout his career. He has, however, recorded at least 1.1 steals per game over the past four seasons.
Jaren Jackson Jr., the DPOY from the previous year, averaged a staggering three blocks per game. Three-time champion Rudy Gobert averaged 2.1 blocks per game throughout the course of his career.
Is Bam Adebayo the best defensive player in the NBA?
In his career, the 26-year-old has been selected for four All-Defensive teams. All four, meanwhile, are second-team accolades. He has never placed higher than fourth, but he has finished in the top five in four of the previous five seasons.
Last year, media personnel from all across the league believed that Abebayo ought to have made the DPOY finalist list. It would be too soon to say that Bam is the best defensive player, as other players have a slightly better stat line.
If Bam needs to get the DPOY, he’d have to eye the reigning winner, Jarren Jackson Jr . Players must now participate in at least 65 games to be eligible for season-ending honors under the league’s new CBA. Jaren Jackson Jr., the award winner from the previous year, appeared in just 63 games with the Grizzlies.
He wouldn’t have been ineligible to win under the new CBA. Bam Adebayo shouldn’t have any problems participating in 65 games. He has accomplished it in four of his six seasons, one of which included 64 games played.
Maybe this is the year when Bam Adebayo finally achieves his DPOY breakout. He will be a more purposeful player going into the 2023–24 season. The Heat’s big man will face great competition for the honor. Players like Evan Mobley and Jaren Jackson Jr. won’t make the path easy for him.