The 2017 NBA draft was one of the most anticipated drafts that I can remember in a long time thanks to the Ball family, Lavar Ball and the Big Baller Brand all wrapped up in one.
Ball announced on Twitter that the only NBA team that his son Lonzo Ball from UCLA will showcase his talents for is the Los Angeles Lakers. He tweeted, “LaVar Ball: Lonzo Ball ‘Only Working Out’ For Lakers; Predicts Playoff Drought Ends With Son In L.A.” The claim would be further solidified on June 22, the day of the 2017 NBA draft, where he stated that Ball would get the Los Angeles Lakers back into the playoffs in his first year with the team. Oh by the way, Lonzo was selected by the Lakers with the number two pick, not number one. I am here to focus on the number 14 pick; it belonged to the rebuilding Miami Heat.
Rebuilding post the Big Three era continues as the new season begins with a “Bam”! Literally. The Heat’s pick at number 14 was Kentucky’s Edrice “Bam” Adebayo who turns 20 in the month of July. Adebayo has a 38 ½ and an intimidating 7-3 wingspan.
It was a puzzling pick moreover Bam was shocked his talents were on the way to Miami. “Not until 30 seconds left on that clock,” Adebayo stated. “I was that surprised.” Chris Bosh is officially gone and this is clearly his replacement to compliment Hassan Whiteside in the frontcourt. Adebayo averaged 13 points, eight rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 30 minutes per game while at Kentucky.
“We felt very fortunate to draft Bam Adebayo,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He is a world class athlete. He is a guy that is hungry, healthy and humble, but most importantly, his athleticism is off the charts. We feel like he will fit in perfectly with our team and our style of play.”
Adebayo, appeared in 38 games (all starts) as a freshman at Kentucky and averaged 13.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.50 blocks and 30.1 minutes while shooting 59.9 percent from the field. He was selected to the All-SEC Second Team and the All-SEC All-Tournament Team after helping the Wildcats win the SEC Championship. He led the team in rebounds (304), blocks (57) and double-doubles (8) and finished second on the team in free throws made (154) and minutes (1,145) and third in points (494).
Adebayo recorded 101 dunks, the most for a single-season by any Kentucky player under head coach John Calipari, surpassing Anthony Davis’ 92 in 2011-12 as it also ranked as the second-most in the NCAA last season. He tallied back-to-back 15-rebound games after posting a 22-point, 15-rebound double-double at Missouri on February 21 and then a 18-point, 15-rebound double-double vs. then #13 Florida on February 25, becoming the first Wildcat since Jared Prickett in 1994 to post consecutive 15-rebound games and the first time it was done during SEC games since Sam Bowie in 1984. Additionally, he grabbed 18 rebounds in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Northern Kentucky, the third-most ever by a Kentucky player during March Madness, helping the Wildcats advance to the Elite Eight.
Adebayo will wear number 13.
What stands out is he connected on 60 percent of his shots on the hardwood and was a force around the rim. “He has a toughness, a motor, a defensive mindset,” head coach Erik Spoelstra stated. This was Miami’s third highest pick since Dwyane Wade in 2003, Michael Beasley (second in 2008) and Justise Winslow (10th in 2015).
Bam is expected to make 2.5 million next season with a five-year expectancy in Miami. He joins Heat nation with a roster of eight players under contract for next season and until July 7th to resign Wayne Ellington for 6.3 million at their choice. The NBA salary cap will be 99 million, approximately two million less than projected. The Heat have slightly less than 65 million in 2017-18 salary cap commitments. Nearly 35 million is what Pat Riley will have to play with in free agency. Dion Waiters and James Johnson want to stay in Miami but Riley is expected to put his name in the Gordon Hayward sweepstakes.
The Heat will develop Adebayo but they need the “Bam” the Heat was had. Since Wade was drafted, Miami has drafted 22 players. Not one has made an NBA All-Star team. Bam made 170 shots from the field for Kentucky last season, 101 of those beings dunks. This needs to be a dunk particularly for the Heat going into free agency.
Photo/EdriceAdebayo/twitter
