And now it’s kind of second nature at this point.” Which, Spoelstra said, is another sign of Adebayo’s maturation at 27, how growth as a leader now mirrors growth as a player.

Bam Adebayo is no stranger to chaos. That made the eighth-year center, amid this most uneven of seasons, keenly aware of what was needed in the captaincy role he inherited from Udonis Haslem.

The NBA celebrates Bam Adebayo's 28th birthday with a stunning photo, fueling trade rumors as the offseason heats up.

A Miami Heat trade idea has them acquiring a $195 million star to pair up with Bam Adebayo so Miami can compete in 2025-2026.

But Bam, I think he took the leader role when he came out and he said, Like, I'm not gonna allow my guys to quit on this season, and that's the conversation that Bam and I had as, you know, my ...

"My conversations with Bam, and this is what [Erik Spoelstra] says all the time, don’t let go of the rope. Don’t let go of it. That’s my conversation with Bam as a leader.

Trading Bam could help the Heat reset their timeline." If Adebayo wants to continue embracing a Draymond Green-like role on offense, San Antonio is the place to do it not Miami.

When asked about the big men who shaped his approach to the game, Bam Adebayo didn’t hesitate. “Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Lamar Odom… and the wild card for me was always Chris Bosh,” he said.

It’s possible Adebayo and Herro are better suited for complementary roles, should the Heat acquire another alpha like Butler. Adebayo actually hasn’t improved all that much over the past ...

After Jimmy Butler’s departure, Miami Heat captain Bam Adebayo came away from this season with a better appreciation of how difficult it is to win in the NBA.

Don’t let go of it. That’s my conversation with Bam as a leader. It doesn’t matter what’s going on or what you ain’t got, don’t let go of the rope.