2025 was a difficult year for the Miami Heat, who had to overcome the Jimmy Butler saga followed by a 37-45 record, their worst in more than a decade. Claiming that they have fully recovered would be a stretch, but the team is showing signs of progress with a new and stable leader in Bam Adebayo.
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Adebayo had a poor 24-25 season. But after a slow start, he bounced back and improved on both offense and defense. And in 25-26, with Butler now on the Warriors, a younger supporting cast, and far more stable chemistry, many are buying into the idea of a Heat resurgence in the East. At 14-10, they are sixth in the conference and look miles better.
Adebayo has been a big part of that. He is averaging 19 points and 9 rebounds per game. More than just the numbers, it is his leadership that has brought the hype train back to the Magic City. The 28-year-old star opened up about his new leadership role during a recent interview with Andscape, where he showed just how much Heat culture has shaped him.
“I’m the one in the driver’s seat, and obviously that’s a big responsibility. It’s a big ask, but if they didn’t believe in me, they wouldn’t put me in this seat,” stated Bam.
It’s true. President Pat Riley has the eye for these kinds of things, and his seeing big potential in Adebayo is proof that his hard work has been paying off. “I’ve been patient being in this seat because there’s been a lot of ups and downs,” Bam added. He didn’t even have to spell it out.
The dramas of the past few seasons would weigh down any player or franchise, but true champions rise above it. That is what Bam and the Heat are doing this year. Speaking of which, the three-time All Star also discussed what separates him from previous team leaders like Dwyane Wade and Butler. His biggest concern is creating an environment that does not feel like a 9 to 5 job.
“”I’m the more passionate leader. You got to come with the passion every single day. Every single day we are in here to work. We are in here to do our job, and then we leave and go home. We don’t work a 9 to 5. That’s one thing for me as a leader I don’t want it to feel like. We play basketball.”
Bam is also confident with this Heat squad, so much so that he labeled them dark horse contenders for what should be a wide open Eastern Conference. “People are going to call us crazy, but I think we are a contender. Speaking stuff into existence, that matters. Manifesting things, that matters. Being able to just dream about that, write it down, and keep looking at that, that goes a long way.”
That belief is exactly what makes this version of the Miami Heat feel different. They are not the most star-studded team in the conference or the trendy preseason pick, but they finally look like a group aligned behind a clear voice and a clear direction.
Adebayo’s confidence, patience, and renewed fire have given Miami the identity it lacked during the turbulence of the Butler era, and the early results are proving it. If the Heat keep building on this momentum, that dark horse contender label might not sound crazy for much longer. It might just end up looking prophetic.
