Bam Adebayo in action at Miami
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo is no stranger to being vocal about his defense. Widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the NBA, Adebayo has repeatedly found himself on the outside looking in when it comes to winning the coveted Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award. This year, Adebayo once again made headlines by openly criticizing how the award is decided, taking issue with what he perceives as a skewed emphasis on analytics, rather than the actual art of defense.
In a recent interview with Jeremy Tache of Bally Sports Sun, Adebayo didn’t hold back. “For me, it’s getting stops,” Adebayo said when discussing what the DPOY should represent. “I’m not into advanced stats. I’m not into the analytics, metrics, anything like that. To me, it’s who can guard their yard. And that’s 1-5, that’s in zone. That’s in whatever coverage your coach puts you in, you can excel. That, to me, is the DPOY, but the media has different opinions. They look at steals and blocks.”
Adebayo’s frustration stems from a pattern he’s noticed in recent years, where the award often goes to players who excel in eye-catching stats like blocks and steals. He pointed out that these stats don’t always tell the full story of defensive excellence, particularly for versatile defenders like him who play multiple roles and can guard every position on the floor. Adebayo’s value lies in his ability to switch onto smaller guards, hold his own against big men, and anchor Miami’s defense in a variety of schemes—a versatility that isn’t always reflected in traditional defensive stats.
The Debate Over Advanced Metrics in DPOY Voting
Adebayo’s critique raises an ongoing debate in the NBA about the use of advanced metrics and analytics in award voting. While statistics like defensive win shares, defensive rating, and block and steal totals are often used to measure a player’s defensive impact, they don’t always capture the nuances of defense. For instance, a player like Adebayo, who excels in both on-ball defense and team-oriented schemes, might not post the same numbers in blocks or steals as a shot-blocking center, but his overall contribution to defensive success is undeniable.
This is where the voting process for DPOY becomes contentious. Voters—primarily media members—often rely on these advanced metrics, especially in an era where analytics have taken a prominent role in evaluating players. Adebayo, however, argues that the true test of a defender’s value should be their ability to “guard their yard,” meaning effectively stopping their man, regardless of the position or defensive coverage they’re placed in.
“To me, it’s about getting stops,” Adebayo emphasized. “It’s about the actual defensive work, not just the numbers.”
Erik Spoelstra Echoes Support for Adebayo
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has long been one of Adebayo’s strongest advocates, repeatedly praising his defensive acumen and versatility. Spoelstra has often been vocal about his belief that Adebayo is overlooked in DPOY voting, and it’s clear that he shares some of his center’s frustrations. In past seasons, Spoelstra has also spoken about how Adebayo’s impact transcends what can be captured by statistics alone, pointing to his ability to defend every position and thrive in multiple defensive schemes.
Speaking about the team’s progress with new addition Terry Rozier, Spoelstra struck a more measured tone. He praised the team’s growing confidence and cohesion, acknowledging that integrating Rozier into a lineup that had been largely stable since 2019 is a work in progress. “I like it, but who cares what the head coach thinks,” Spoelstra said with a laugh. “They like it. They’re comfortable. They’re gaining confidence. The most important thing is they’re intentional about the work and the process of putting it together to start the season. We’ll see what happens once we get into it.”
The Heat’s roster, which has remained consistent for several years, is undergoing its biggest change in recent memory with the addition of Rozier. Despite the adjustment period, Spoelstra seems confident in how things are shaping up as the Heat prepare for the 2024-25 NBA season.
Despite his continued elite play, Adebayo has yet to claim the DPOY award, though he has been a finalist multiple times. His defensive prowess has earned him several All-Defensive team selections, but the top individual honor has eluded him. Much of this is due to the nature of the voting process, which tends to favor players who put up gaudy stats in categories like blocks and steals—categories in which Adebayo, a versatile defender, may not always lead the league.
Still, Adebayo’s focus remains on his ability to impact the game. “At the end of the day, I’m just going to keep doing what I do,” he said. “I know what I bring to the table. It’s up to them to decide, but I’ll keep being the defender I’ve always been.”
As Adebayo looks ahead to the upcoming season, his quest for recognition as the league’s best defender continues. Whether he can sway the media’s focus away from analytics and towards the kind of defensive versatility he embodies remains to be seen. However, his message is clear: Defense is about more than just numbers—it’s about stopping the opponent, no matter what the stats say.
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