The Miami Heat have made it a trend to slowly play themselves into shape during the regular season and the 2023-24 NBA season is no different.
After making the NBA Finals last season, the Heat are off to another so-so year though most expect them to kick it into high gear once the postseason rolls around.
At 30-25, Miami sits in the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and would need to win a Play-In Tournament game to keep their playoff spot.
However, it’s hard to imagine them losing a game at home if they’ve got a healthy Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to anchor them on both sides of the floor.
Adebayo in particular is having a career year for the Heat as he’s assumed more responsibility on the offensive end while still holding down the painted area.
Former Miami guard Norris Cole even went as far as to say that Adebayo’s been more impressive than Anthony Davis via Gil’s Arena.
“He’s the best two-way player in league… He assists better, the better playmaker, he shot blocks just as good if not better, he switches and plays man better,” Cole said.
Norris Cole says Bam Adebayo is a top-25 player and is better than Anthony Davis, per @GilsArenaShow.
“He’s the best two-way player in league… He assists better, the better playmaker, he shot blocks just as good if not better, he switches and plays man better.” pic.twitter.com/5wWus05qzL
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 21, 2024
Like Adebayo, Davis is having a dominant two-way season and will likely sneak onto some MVP ballots at the end of the regular season.
While Adebayo’s got a lot of things going for him, it’s hard to take Cole seriously as Davis is arguably the most disruptive defensive player in the league when engaged.
Both big men are great at what they do, but at this point it’s hard to put Adebayo over Davis.
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