“Bam Adebayo is one of the most unique defenders in the league”: Erik Spoelstra campaigns for the Heat star’s DPOY considerations

Bam Adebayo has been an ever-present for the Heat this year. Erik Spoelstra is actively campaigning for his All-Star forward as the DPOY.

Miami Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo has been one of the brightest young talents in the league. For the past couple of years, Adebayo has proven to be one of the future faces of the league. He has Al Horford’s feel for the game and Ben Simmons’ physical tools, making him an awesome 6’9″ big man.

Over the course of his career, the 23-year-old has had some terrific defensive plays. This season too, many analysts have Adebayo as one of the contenders to win the DPOY honors.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra referred to Adebayo as a “unique” defender. Spoelstra also claimed how the former Kentucky Wildcat should be in talks among the DPOY conversations. Erik revealed:

“I think Bam is one of the most unique defenders in the league. He can legit guard one through five and that’s not just coach speak, that’s not fan speak, media speak. That’s legit.”

“He can anchor a very reliable defense and he can take on different challenges and he has the IQ to be able to execute multiple schemes where it’s not just the switching scheme that people think that he’s involved with. He’s able to handle more sophisticated things than just that.”

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“Bam Adebayo should be considered for the Defensive Player of the Year award”: Erik Spoelstra

After spending 3 seasons with the Heat, the franchise showed the big man some faith, signing him a 5-year $163 million contract. His reward could potentially rise up to $179 million if Adebayo is awarded the DPOY award this season.

The last season, Adebayo did earn himself a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team. He even received a couple of first-place votes, a second-place vote and four third-place votes for the award.

However, Giannis Antetokounmpo clinched the award. According to Spoelstra, Bam should be amongst the considerations for the award. Erik explained:

“I think he should be considered for [the Defensive Player of the Year award]. But we don’t have a major campaign for that. I think the main point about all these awards if you win, I think a lot of that stuff gets taken care of. So we gotta handle that first box, we gotta win.”

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