Damian Lillard, the guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, was recently asked to imagine an NBA starting lineup. He selected Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat as his center, but he made no reference to two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks.
In Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, Adebayo was selected to start in Joel Embiid’s place due to an injury. With that, he became the first Heat player since Dwyane Wade eight years prior to be included in the starting five of the iconic midseason game.
Adebayo only managed three points and two rebounds in his meager 17 minutes of play, but even before the game, he expressed gratitude for being selected to start.
Adebayo, who has emerged as one of the NBA’s top centers in recent years, was selected for the third time to the All-Star Game. He is one of the main reasons Miami has won this season, averaging 20.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
His ability to defend is arguably his greatest asset. He appears to be a constant contender for Defensive Player of the Year, having been selected to the All-Defensive Second Team for four seasons in a row.
Just about a month ago, the Heat, the reigning Eastern Conference champions, had a 24-16 record and were ranked fifth in the East. However, they then embarked on a seven-game losing streak, which briefly made them flirt with.500.
They bounced back from that to win six of their final eight games before the All-Star break.
