Bam Adebayo had a respectable performance in Team USA’s 104-83 win over Puerto Rico at the Paris Olympics, scoring three points, grabbing five rebounds, and adding three assists and two steals off the bench. His NBA team, the Miami Heat, praised his performance on social media, which he found amusing.
Team USA dominated the Olympic game, finishing the group stage as the top seed and setting up a quarterfinal matchup against Brazil on Tuesday. Bamonte played just 17 minutes as a reserve, but his contributions will be crucial in the knockout round. The team’s scoring was balanced, with multiple players contributing double-digit point totals.
Y’all didn’t have to post my quadruple single.
Bam Adebayo wrote on X
Bam Adebayo has had to adjust to coming off the bench with fewer minutes and chances to shoot, but he remains a key part of the American bench. He has shown his ability to contribute in different ways, leading Team USA with 18 points in a previous win over South Sudan.
Adebayo, who has averaged more than 33 minutes per game for the last five seasons with the Heat, played just 17 minutes as a reserve for a stacked United States roster. As the team heads into the knockout round, Adebayo’s versatility and willingness to adapt will be important assets.
Bam Adebayo continues to fire back at Brian Windhorst over benching prediction
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo is still responding to NBA analyst Brian Windhorst’s prediction that he would be benched for Team USA. Adebayo led the team in scoring against South Sudan, proving Windhorst wrong. He questioned why Windhorst singled him out, asking if his accolades weren’t enough.
[Adebayo] opened his news conference by admonishing a reporter [Windhorst] for the mere suggestion that Adebayo might sit so Tatum could get a chance. Why did you pick my name? My accolades don’t stand up?
Bam Adebayo said, courtesy The Athletic’s Joe Vardon
Bam Adebayo calls out Brian Windhorst for suggesting that Steve Kerr may pull him from the rotation
“Why did you pick my name? My accolades don’t stand up?”
(h/t @joevardon ) pic.twitter.com/ZXLv3N4JMH
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 2, 2024
Some fans have begun to side with Windhorst, arguing that Adebayo’s resume doesn’t stack up to other stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. They point out that Adebayo’s team, the Miami Heat, has a 0-2 record in the NBA Finals during his tenure, while Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum won his first ring last season.
Adebayo has been vocal in his response to Windhorst, as he posted a GIF of 50 Cent to further let his thoughts known. He has proven himself to be a versatile player who can dominate regardless of who is on the court, earning praise from the basketball world.
