Adebayo turned a full-time starter through the 2019-20 season. Since then, Miami has two NBA Finals appearances and sports activities the NBA’s seventh-best win share in that point (.581). The 27-year-old Adebayo, who was drafted thirteenth in 2017, is the one participant within the NBA to complete high 5 in Defensive Participant of the Yr voting in every of the final 5 seasons. “He’s a lot completely different,” Spoelstra stated about Adebayo’s consolation as a staff chief. “He’s gotten extra snug. And he’s accepted the tasks which can be given as a pacesetter … as any face of the franchise, because the captain. And he is aware of he can’t do it simply by his actions. He additionally has to used his voice extra. And that’ll proceed to get higher. It’s important to do issues inside your character. He’s not going to guide in the identical means as U.D. [Udonis Haslem], and that’s completely wonderful. Everyone within the locker room respects him and responds to him. I really like seeing the expansion that he’s made. He’s in most likely, what, his eighth season already? It’s going by so quick. Annually, he develops extra, and he makes extra of an influence.” -via New York Occasions / November 5, 2024