In an NBA season where many teams are intentionally losing, Bam Adebayo faced significant criticism for scoring 83 points on Tuesday against the struggling Washington Wizards.
On Friday, the Miami Heat center addressed these criticisms on “The Dan Patrick Show.” He explained that the Wizards did not double-team him until he had already scored 70 points with nine minutes left in the game. It’s unusual that Adebayo, who was just trying to perform well, is receiving backlash while playing against a team that is not actively competing.
Bam Adebayo’s performance stands out no matter the opponent
Scoring big in the NBA often involves some statistical manipulation. For instance, during Wilt Chamberlain’s famous 100-point game, his teammates focused on giving him the ball, while the New York Knicks slowed the game and intentionally fouled Chamberlain’s teammates despite being behind.
Similarly, in 2017, the Phoenix Suns fouled to regain possession while Devin Booker scored 70 points, and in 2006, the Toronto Raptors played a zone defense as Kobe Bryant racked up 27 points in a single quarter on his way to 81 points.
Adebayo expressed his desire to surpass Bryant’s total of 81 points and questioned why he was being criticized for his efforts.