MIAMI — Count Bam Adebayo among those in favor of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s arrival in Miami.
In his first public comments of the summer, Adebayo shared his thoughts on the Miami Heat acquiring the two-time MVP from the Milwaukee Bucks via trade, which saw Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis and draft capital head north.
On Sunday, Adebayo was awarded the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy, the NBA’s social justice award for players serving their community. Prior to accepting the trophy, the three-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist fielded questions from a group of students within his basketball camp.
When asked who his favorite Miami Heat teammate was, Adebayo promptly said, “I’m gonna have to go with Giannis (Antetokounmpo).”
“You look forward to the excitement around the season,” Adebayo said of his reaction to Miami acquiring Antetokounmpo. “I feel like (Heat team president) Pat (Riley) has been trying to get somebody of that star level for a while, so being able to have that shift change and that change … man, we’re looking for growth and to obviously win games.”
When referencing growth, Adebayo is acknowledging Miami’s four-year rut in the Play-In Tournament, which the Heat hope to amend with their newly minted star frontcourt. Antetokounmpo’s arrival is one of the biggest moves of the NBA offseason, one that also reshaped the league.
“It’s gonna be great competition,” Adebayo said of the new-look East. “That’s what you look for. That’s what brings the best out of a player, when you have great competition. So I’m looking forward to it. It’s gonna be a fun season.”
Although Miami acquired a two-time MVP via trade, rumors of a hopeful reunion with LeBron James — a four-time MVP, NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer — circulated before he signed with Philly, where he’ll prepare for his 24th season. Adebayo and James have been Olympic teammates and maintain a close relationship.
Adebayo also understood the business side of James choosing what will likely be his final NBA stop, despite hopes for a return to the franchise where he won his first two titles.
“I consider LeBron like a brother,” Adebayo said. “We’ve been Olympic teammates, but even before that, we always had down-to-earth conversations. I’m happy for him. You want the best for somebody. That’s really how you go from there.”
