As one of the best all-around teams in the NBA, the Miami Heat are hoping for another strong season during the 2023-24 campaign, with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo motivated to take one step closer to winning it all.
Last season, the Heat appeared to be having a down year, as the storied franchise needed the Play-in Tournament to make their way into the NBA playoffs.
Even though they lost to the Atlanta Hawks, Miami was still able to make it into the postseason and go on an incredible playoff run as an underdog in the Eastern Conference.
Despite falling short in the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets, the Heat will be ready to compete for a title once again next season, especially if they can acquire Damian Lillard.
Although winning it all is the ultimate goal for Miami, Adebayo is looking to finally win an elusive regular-season award, as he said on “Playmaker” recently.
Bam says he wants to win Defensive Player of the Year this season 👀
Check out Bam Adebayo’s full “To Inspire” episode here: https://t.co/FdrrTBPKAT pic.twitter.com/Agh1qQp1Ry
— Playmaker (@playmaker) August 15, 2023
Last year, Adebayo failed to even become a finalist for NBA Defensive Player of the Year, with Brook Lopez, Evan Mobley, and eventual winner Jaren Jackson Jr. having that distinction.
Adebayo thinks he’s one of the few star players in the league willing to put the work in defensively and, as a result, be in contention for the award.
However, the requirements to win a regular-season award have changed for the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season, with players needing to play at least 65 games, which could be an issue for Adebayo.
The Heat star has only played 65 games or more three times in his career thus far, which means this will be even more of a challenge moving forward.
NEXT: Bam Adebayo Has Strong Message For Miami Heat Doubters
