Is This Finally Time For Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo To Win Defensive Player Of Year?
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo is vocal about never being in consideration for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award.
He's often said he deserves mention as one of the league's best defenders. Coach Erik Spoelstra has also backed Adebayo.
Still, he rarely gets the pub when it comes to postseason accolades. On this week's Undrafted Rookie Free Agents podcast with Inside The Heat contributors Jayden Armant and Anthony Pasciolla, they discuss why Adebayo fails to get the respect when it comes to awards. The full show can be also be heard HERE.
Spoelstra took exception to when an anonymous poll of league general managers did not include Adebayo on their list for Defensive Player of the Year. Adebayo received no votes.
"That one is just unbelievable to me" Spoelstra said. "I think Bam is the best defensive player in the league and I just can't understand why he's not recognized for how impactful he is on that end of the court. So he's just going to have to prove it again and just do it this year until everybody notices."
So look for the Heat to do everything they can to push Adebayo for the award this season.
"I think that's a good award to go for," Spoelstra said. "A lot of awards I think can potentially get in the way of winning. I think that one is a great one and I don't think he's going to take himself out of anything. I think he just has to be who he is, do what he does and just be that dynamic force on that end of the court. Then I think he's going to get recognized for that and hopefully we'll have a great defense this year and he leads us on that end of the court."
Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.
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