Donovan Mitchell Supports Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo Missing All-NBA Team Selection

Mar 8, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the third quarter  at Miami-Dade Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the third quarter at Miami-Dade Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo wasn't the only one frustrated after missing an All-NBA team selection, as support poured in from Cleveland Cavaliers guard and friend Donovan Mitchell.

Adebayo posted a GIF on social media of former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton infamously nodding his head before a comeback victory. The post amassed more than 300,000 views, with comments of support flooding in. Mitchell's backing came through him liking the post on X (formerly Twitter).

Mitchell and Adebayo's friendship is viewed as a key reason for a potential team-up in Miami, especially because of the Cavs' lack of playoff success in the past two seasons. They reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time in six seasons, but the expectations were set much higher.

Adebayo finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year race behind Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), earning him a spot on the NBA's All-Defensive First Team. Despite this, Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis received the third-team nod instead. Sabonis averaged 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists on 59.4 percent shooting compared to Adebayo's 19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds on 52.1 percent shooting.

News broke on Thursday that the Cavaliers are firing coach JB Bickerstaff, likely in hopes of retaining Mitchell. This means Miami could starhunt elsewhere, such as the Atlanta Hawks or Mitchell's teammate Darius Garland.

Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Inside the Heat. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram @anthony.pasciolla.

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Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com