The Heat Report: Summer League Breakdowns + Thoughts So Far & A Conversation Around Bam as the 4
A bunch of Heat summer league breakdowns & a long discussion around Bam's position
Welcome to The Heat Report(name maybe still in progress)! A weekly, semi-regular thoughts, discussion & analysis of the Miami Heat. This is the place for you to get up to speed with everything that’s important, interesting, or simply fun — whether that’s news, specific games, box-scores, actions, plays, signings, trades, trends, financials, schemes — and digging deeper into the how’s and why’s through film breakdowns, stats, and analysis.
What’s Been Heating Up!
Here’s all of the game and film breakdown related stuff from the week that you may have missed! It’s a bunch of threads, clips, or film breakdowns elsewhere all compiled in one place to make it easier to catch up on what happened & diving into some Xs & Os.
Ware’s defense
This has been disappointing and frustrating to watch, especially that it looked better in the previous games. The biggest things that stood out were the lower effort and energy levels, biting on fakes too many times, looking to hunt for blocks, and not paying attention to where his man was:
0:35s — stepping up too high and biting on the fake for a fly-by that gives up an open roll
0:41s — ball watching, not paying attention to his man & allowing him to get backcut to give an open layup
0:57 — staying with the ball handler but then leaving his feet to go for the block instead, which gives up the open cut
1:30 — losing track of his man & not hustling for the box out
This was his worst defensive game so far in the summer league, hopefully, this was just a blip and it won’t be a norm with the energy being that low or the constant hunting for blocks.
Jaquez is too good for summer league & his 3pt shooting
One of the better ways to judge a player that’s heading into his second year is how they look in summer league(if they play) because you definitely want them to look great — they are NBA players now and should have an advantage over most players that either are fringe NBA players, rookies, second-round picks, or undrafted. Jaquez has done exactly that so far and after two games, it’s looking like he’s done with it.
The thing that has obviously stood out is his constant attack and the will he has to get to the rim with ease. That hasn’t changed and he’s looking as comfortable as ever doing so and has the results too. It doesn’t matter if it’s through contact or finishing around traffic, he’s been able to do it.
You also have him going 3/5 from 3pt. The confidence was there. He had two early offense pull-ups where he walked into that 3pt with no hesitation and a quick shot. Then, he showed some off-dribble 3pt shooting to punish the defense going under.
And all that did was make the defense respect it. At the 53s mark, he pumps fakes, gets the defender off the ground, and is able to attack the closeout to make a kick himself.
Steven’s passing and scoring
Stevens can really pass. He’s showing all the right things you’d want from a passer. He’s willing to pass, he wants to pass, he’s always looking to pass, and he can make all different kinds of passes. He’s been playing around with finding cutters, kicks, skip passes, or alley-oops. He likes those alley-oops early.
He also has shown some scoring ability throughout, but that is something that I’d want to see more aggression in. He likes coming off those double drags and has knocked down the pull-up 3pt or has been able to go into that floater.
Christopher is showing up on both ends
I’ve really been impressed with Christopher in the first two games. He shows up on both ends in many ways.
Offensively, his attacks and ability to get a drive-in have been fun to watch. He has that burst and can get by defenders. But it’s the willingness to pass that stands out a lot. He’s looking to pass and with that off-dribble ability, he’s been able to draw defenses to open up those windows.
He also had a scoring outburst with his 6 3s. There’s not a big takeaway from it right now, but it could be a great sign if the shot is legit. Whether it’s off the dribble or off-the-catch 3pt shooting, that could be the difference maker for him.
Then defensively, he tries and he tries hard. There were times he was pressing, being aggressive, stunting + recovering, and making many smart, great defensive plays that saves a basket.
Summer League Thoughts So Far & Jaquez
We are three games into the Las Vegas Summer League and it’s been all good. So far, everything has been pretty much a success when it comes to the players that were or should’ve been on the radar for the Heat.
Whether it’s rookies playing well and showing flashes, existing players showing improvement, or potential new 2-way players that should be picked up. There’s a whole bunch of positives to take away from these 3 games — also, they’re undefeated and it may look like they’ll be heading into the SL playoffs.
Let’s start with the main player, one that is clearly too good for the summer league. Jaime Jaquez Jr only got to play two games and that was all that was needed. There was no need for him to play the entire schedule. It was good to see him to get more reps, even in this competition because it showed one thing. He doesn’t belong here.
If there’s one thing that you want to see from a second-year player is to have them look like the best player on the court because they have been before. There shouldn’t be any question whether the player feels comfortable or not at this point. And Jaquez looked like a 10-year vet.
His main strength getting to the rim at will was on display. He attacked off the dribble. He was coming off screens curling to the rim. He was going into his bag in the post. If he wasn’t the one taking the shot, he was making reads out of the PNR, which was being run at a decent volume. He seemed to look to make more passes where he was being used as a high post hub. Then in the last game, he showed off the 3-point shooting, which would be a massive difference maker in his game — both off the catch or dribble.
The next highlight has definitely been Isaiah Stevens. That was surprising. His passing really is something else, where many, many fans on my timeline had said he’s a top 3 passer on the team. He needs to be on the 2-way and I don’t see a single reason why he shouldn’t be. I’d immediately see minutes for him on the team with his passing ability, 3-point shooting, drive and kicks, and hustle on defense.
Keshad Johnson also was a bright spot amongst everyone and he brought that with his energy and hustle. It felt weird watching someone be running and dunking like that for the Heat. The defensive versatility was also nice. The only thing that I would’ve wanted to see is more on the offensive end that could translate more.
I have enjoyed Ware so far too. There has definitely been plenty of reason to look forward to his rookie season and what he can bring to the Heat(maybe alongside Adebayo). The length that he has, how high he’s been jumping(again, weird being a Heat fan), the recoveries on blocks he’s been having, and the touch offensively has been fun to see. It has been a bit up and down at times with the effort on some of the plays and the screening! But overall, it’s still been a good impression.
Christopher was another fun surprise. He’s already been in the league two years and is a former first-round pick, so the talent should be there. He has shown a lot that I like and enough to make me want to have him as the other two-way player. A lot of it has to do with his defense.
It looks like he clearly wanted to show that he plays hard on that end because that’s the impression I got in these few games. He will press. He will be active. I haven’t seen much of poor or lazy effort on that end. And offensively, he can heat up, clearly. But even beyond the 3-point shooting that could be streaky, I’ve loved his willingness to pass.
Lastly, we have Larsson, who I’ve been kind of disappointed in when it comes to offensively. Not only would I want to see more(based on what I’ve seen and read from his time in college), but even the things that he was doing could’ve been a lot better. The poor shooting hurts, but don’t think that’s a red flag.
Some of the drives to the rim have been a bit meh. But there have still been plenty of flashes and he still has done many of the “simple” things on offense that you’d want from role players. He stood out for me still just defensively and honestly, that alone should get him some spot minutes because he’s good.
We still have at least two more games and hopefully the playoffs, which after that I’ll be going through all of the film stuff and digging deeper into what each key player was doing.
Is Bam a 4 or a 5?
Ah. The old, old conversation around Bam Adebayo. Is he a four or a five? Is he just a four stuck in a system where he’s forced into being a five? Or is he simply an undersized five?
This conversation got louder because of what he’s been doing with the USA team where he has played the majority of his minutes alongside Anthony Davis and has been playing that wing role where he went 3/5 from deep.
Now, if that’s the Adebayo that we’ll see from now on, where he’s taking 4–6 3s a game, he’s spaced in the corner, flaring out above the break, lifting, and just generally being more perimeter-oriented, then yes, he’s a four.
To me, this conversation never made sense when it came to Adebayo is because he has never shown that he has the skill, and ability or even wants to play like a “modern” four.
The first point in that should be what is a four in 2024? What does a wing have to do in 2024 to be impactful? What’s the difference between them and a big? Starting off with the simpler question and that’s what are the skills and role of a big?
Whenever I look at a player’s role, it’s what they do the majority of the time and/or what their main strengths are. That’s to somehow make a clearer distinction between players that do more all-around things.
Taking Adebayo as an example — he brings up the ball many times, he sets screens, he’s a hub, he creates for himself, he’s a great passer, he can attack in the post back to the basket, or he can face up. There are a lot of things that he can do well enough to do them. But at the same time, none of those things are at a good enough level for him to do so consistently where that is main role.
Similar thing with someone like Duncan Robinson this year. I still see him as solely an off-ball shooter, despite him having career highs in pick-and-roll usage and looking way more comfortable as a ball handler. Until the scales gets flipped, a player’s role will still be what it was.
So, going back to what is a big. That’s someone who does traditional “big” type work. There are a lot of things we already associate with a typical big. They set screens, they roll/pop, they stay around the dunker spot, cut along the paint, they go for putbacks, and on the defensive end, they’re someone who is primarily tasked with defending PNRs. There’s also a lot of overlap here, especially as positions continue to evolve or players become even more versatile at that size and length that they’ll really blend together.
Though, I don’t think that will change the actual roles that are already established. Maybe the names will change or the volume/usage at which each player is used at in those roles and that’s where the overlap will become a bigger thing.
That to me is a traditional “five”. So, what is a four or a wing in 2024? This is more of an issue in defining because the role of a typical four has changed and evolved over the years. 10 years ago, we’d most likely say a four is LaMarcus Aldridge, Zach Randolph, Blake Griffin, Tim Duncan, or Paul Millsap. And I guess, with those standards, I can see how Adebayo would also be in that category. But that’s where the issue of Adebayo being a four in 2024 comes up because I think those “power” forwards have shifted more to being a traditional big in today’s game.
These days, a four to me are “big” wing guys like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Paolo Banchero, Pascal Siakam, Lauri Markkanen, Karl Anthony towns if we’re talking about the elite stars. When it comes to the lower tiers, it’s guys like Jaren Jackson Jr, Tobias Harris, OG Anunoby, Naz Reid, Cam Johnson, and PJ Washington.
Though the wing position is very flexible and overlaps way too much today and I guess this is one of the positions where height and size play a bigger part.
But in terms of what a typical wing does, I think there are clear distinctions. They can handle the ball at a good enough level. They can create their shot-off movement or off the dribble. They are more mobile and faster than bigs. They can shoot from 3pt and be perimeter-oriented. Now, I see any kind of wing in the same way you’d see a “small” forward in the 2010s, be now just a wing.
That’s the biggest change from 2014. Outside of very limited exceptions, a good wing has to be a spacer and a threat from 3pt. As simple as that may be, it is a big difference. It’s tough to be a wing player without a 3pt ball, especially in a bad team context. Because then you may be forced to use those players in big roles to offset their lack of spacing by using them as screeners, have them cut in dunker spots, or be a hub for DHOs, and that hurts their off-ball ability. Without that 3-point shot, where can they effectively be on the court if they’re not involved as a screener or have the ball?
Out of qualifying players with at least 500 minutes and lower than 3.5 3pt per 100 possessions, there are 62 players. 44 are the ones most would agree are your traditional 5s — Jakob Poeltl, Jarrett Allen, Rudy Gobert, Isaiah Hartenstein, Clint Capela, and Walker Kessler. There are “forwards” like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Anderson, Evan Mobley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Zion Williamson, Aaron Gordon, and Precious Achiuwa. Plus a handful of perimeter players like TJ McConnell, the Thompson twins, or Markelle Fultz.
Eliminating the clear 0s in 3pt shooting, this is where I’d say these are the “tweeners” and are in the same conversation as Adebayo. I’d call a lot of these players “power” forwards in 2010s. I’m sure back then you would have a Giannis-Hibbert duo. But now, I think most of these players are in the same place where you’d have the same kind off issues if you play them together or with another big. And a lot of it has to do with the 3pt shooting.
Whether it’s analytics killing the sport, making players into robots or whatever it is, you do need to have a reliable 3-point shot if you want to be played in a wing role in 2024 because there’s only so much you can do to maximize spacing in other ways. Because at the end of the day, the best way to create spacing is by simply spacing for 3pt.
So, that’s my general overview of the position talk. Let’s dig into Adebayo specifically.
Adebayo came into the league as an undersized five. He had no 3pt shot. He didn’t even have a mid-range shot early in his career. The handle was even worse. He didn’t create his own shot. And was primarily used around the paint.
That has obviously changed and improved… but it has improved to the 2010 “power” forward version. A lot of the ways Adebayo works whether on or off ball, still resembles a typical power forward. It’s a Kevin Garnett or Aldridge type of big wing, which in 2024 is mostly forced into a traditional five.
Let’s have a look at some of his platypes over the years
The % of his possessions as a roll man over the years:
20.8% → 21.2% → 17.7% → 17.1% → 16.2% → 21.3% → 18.3%
As a cutter:
25.8% → 24.5% → 24.0% → 20.4% → 19.5% → 15.7% → 14.0%
In the post:
11.3% → 7.2% → 6.9% → 11.9% → 16.7% → 12.1% → 21.7%
In isolation:
2.5% → 1.8% → 7.6% → 10.5% → 7.4% → 11.9% → 10.5%
On putbacks:
15.1% → 14.1% → 8.5% → 6.5% → 7.1% → 7.4% → 7.7%
On spot ups:
5.6% → 4.8% → 8.1% → 6.1% → 4.9% → 4.6% → 5.5%
We can see that there’s definitely been a shift going away from your traditional five roles, such as putbacks and cuts. But the shift has been towards a profile that fits 2014 more than 2024. That’s part of an issue. That shift still puts him in the tweener position instead of a modern four.
Another interesting stat for that is his catch-and-shoot 2s frequency:
10.4% → 8.2% → 9.9% → 12.4% → 8.9% → 12.1% → 14.6%
This is 100% not ideal for what you want from a wing player. NO WING DOES THIS. This is a big man thing in the 2010s.
So, let’s compare his play type frequencies, his shot profile, and other stats to a handful of players:
This is Adebayo compared to some “fours” from 2016(the earliest the play type is available). Those players are the closest to the same play type or shot profile that they have. That’s what Adebayo’s skillset has been in 2024 — one that fits players almost a decade ago.
But even with those players, they still showed more of a four than Adebayo has. Take note of that spot-up frequency and C&S 2s. Back then, you were obviously spacing more in the mid-range, but they were still used as spacers without the ball. They all had doubles, triples, or even more than how Adebayo is used off-ball. They were doing less big stuff than him without the ball and that’s not comparing him to players now.
When it comes to players now who are typical fours:
This is a huge difference in playstyle, where and how they get their shots. It’s a big difference in their catch-and-shoot ability when it comes to how they’re spaced. Just look at that spot-up difference!
This is the profile that a wing is closer to in 2024. This is where Adebayo needs to be at if he’s set to be a four in 2024 because even with all of his improvements, he’s closer to the traditional bigs we see now:
Side note: Vucevic has N/A for spot ups for some reason but that should be around 15% range
We’re seeing the same pattern again. Adebayo has the shot profile and how he’s used off-ball in the same way as typical bigs. He’s not close enough to what you’d expect and need from a wing.
How can you say you want to be used like a four when you don’t do enough of the things that those players do. Many people want to have a Brook Lopez or Kristaps Porzingis next to him, but in those cases, those players would be doing the spotting up(same way Meyers Leonard was used) and Adebayo would still have the same profile.
The only way that can change is if Adebayo changes his game and/or gets better at the skills a modern wing needs. A modern wing doesn’t sit inside the arc to take so many jumpers at the elbow. A modern wing doesn’t have so many possessions as a cutter at the dunker spot. A modern wing doesn’t resemble a LaMarcus Aldridge.
Instead, a modern wing is perimeter-oriented. He’s a spot up shooter(just like Bosh, Millsap, Favors were) but from a 3pt line. He has a good enough handle to put the ball down attacking off the catch or creating off dribble. He has off-ball movement that would resemble a shooter. That’s a modern wing.
All of this is within Adebayo’s control. He does have the tools. He clearly has the tools for a wing in 2014, but now he just needs to adapt that slightly enough to fit in today’s game. This also doesn’t have to be significant changes either.
That’s why I don’t believe this to be unrealistic or unreasonable. This would require a different approach, maybe a change of mindset because it would be getting used differently. But there’s nothing skill wise(outside of that 3pt shot at the moment) or physical tools that stops him. He’s clearly not too slow, mobile or agile to play that role. Although I don’t think his handle is good enough to have that be a significant role, but it definitely is at a good enough level to do so in bursts.
And it’s looking like we’re already getting this evolution of Adebayo. Since March 13th, he was attempting over 2.3 3s per 100 possessions. 14% of his C&S were 2s and 14% were 3s. That’s a significant step in the right direction. We’ve seen him be placed around the break more and have a 5-out alignment.
Now, in the Olympics, we’ve seen play that wing role even better with him flaring out and adding that off-ball movement around the perimeter. If that continues, then there’s 100% a route where you can play him with other typical bigs, but that has only happened now, so let’s also not rewrite how he was playing in 99% of his career before March 13th.
I should also note that this is all about his off-ball game. That’s what prevents him from being used like a wing and it’s also what prevents the team from having even someone like Ware next to him until he does the off-ball stuff because without that, he’d still fall into the big category and we can’t have two bigs(three including Butler).
And I don’t see how bringing a typical big next to him would force him into being a shooter either because I don’t see that as having any kind of impact on his decision. Whether he has Caleb Martin or Anthony Davis, that shouldn’t decide whether he can take 3s or not. Whoever the personnel is shouldn’t mean he couldn’t play 5-out and willingly take 3s. That’s why I always thought this was just a barrier he had to push through all by himself and only until he does, you couldn’t have the conversation with him as the four.
Also want to add to this because some counter arguments have been made that he has never been given the chance to play the “four” because he’s always had someone like Martin or Haywood Highsmith. But if he were to have Davis, Lopez, Porzingis, Towns, Reid, Horford, or Wembanyama, having those players in a vacuum doesn’t change anything yet.
If the Heat had those players, Adebayo with his “current” skillset and ability, would still be likely to be the one playing the “big” on offense with him screening, being in the dunker spot etc. His profile wouldn’t change as a result of having a proper big. The only way to have those players play the big and allow Adebayo to be off ball whilst making it work is only if he changes his entire playstyle to fit the modern 4. Because otherwise, you’d be playing two players that have a big playstyle and role, which isn’t working in 2024–one of them would have to be by default the “wing” on offense.
To wrap up, this was only a conversation around offense and that’s because the defensive conversation is entirely different to me that has nothing to do with Adebayo himself. He is the most versatile defender in the world. There’s no context that he couldn’t work with. I see no issues with him working well defensively with any kind of player next to him in any role. That is just more of a strategy question of what is ideal team wise and what maximizes the best defense for the team. To me, there are also different arguments for and against that apply differently in regular season or the playoffs. That’s a different discussion for another day.
So, in the end, Adebayo is still most suited for a traditional five in the NBA with the skillset of a typical “four” in the early 2010s that don’t exactly fit in 2024 because of the lack of spacing, off-ball placement, and how they’re mostly used. And those tweeners are mostly maximized better as a five to offset those limitations.
But with the potential changes and evolution in his game that we’ve seen recently, it’s all possible that he comes out and has a similar profile to a Naz Reid instead of Paul Millsap or Domantas Sabonis. He has the tools. He has the form. He has the potential and work ethic. It just needs to happen now.