Bam Adebayo just achieved something that not even LeBron, D-Wade or Zo could
December has been Bam Adebayo’s month.
The Miami Heat center has averaged 18 points, nearly 12 rebounds and more than five assists through nine games, leading many to speculate he will make his first All-Star appearance in February. Even more impressively, Adebayo’s two triple-doubles earned him Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career.
While the Heat has every right to be upset over Monday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Adebayo’s 14-13-5 performance pushed him into rare territory. The Heat big man’s five consecutive games with at least 10 points, 10 boards and five assists set a franchise record.
The previous record-holder? LeBron James, who posted similar numbers for four consecutive games early in the 2012-13 season.
After opening the month with an eight-point game against the Boston Celtics, Adebayo bounced back with 24-14-4 in a win over the Washington Wizards. He has not been held to single digit scoring since.
Adebayo’s emergence as a possible second star next to Jimmy Butler has been one of the keys to the Heat’s hot start. The Heat is 2-5 when the Kentucky product finishes with a negative plus/minus.
If his December numbers become the norm, Adebayo just might achieve his preseason goal of averaging “16, 10 and 5.”
