Bam Adebayo’s Offensive Struggles Are Becoming a Bigger Problem for the Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are in a tailspin, and at the center of their recent struggles is a player who’s long been considered one of the franchise’s foundational pillars: Bam Adebayo.
After a frustrating loss to the Toronto Raptors, the Heat have now dropped nine of their last 11 games. Not long ago, this team was sitting comfortably near the top of the Eastern Conference.
Now? They’re clinging to postseason hopes, just half a game out of the 10th seed.
And while there’s plenty of blame to go around, it’s impossible to ignore the quiet stretch Bam has been on - and what that means for Miami moving forward.
Bam’s Numbers Are Down - But the Bigger Issue Is What They Don’t Show
Over the last four games, Adebayo is averaging 12 points and 12 rebounds - decent at a glance - but he’s shooting just 38 percent from the field. That’s a steep drop for a player who typically thrives on high-percentage looks around the rim. What’s more concerning than the stat line is the way he’s looked doing it: hesitant, passive, and at times unsure of where to assert himself in the offense.
This isn’t just a shooting slump. It’s a confidence issue. And with the Heat missing Tyler Herro and juggling a rotating cast of injured role players, this was supposed to be Bam’s moment to step up - not step back.
The Heat Need More Than Just Defense From Bam Right Now
Let’s be clear: Adebayo’s defense is still elite. He continues to anchor Miami’s schemes, switch onto guards, protect the rim, and bring the kind of versatility that few bigs in the league can match. Without him, the Heat’s defensive identity would fall apart completely.
But defense alone isn’t enough right now. The Heat are sputtering offensively, and without Herro’s scoring punch, they’ve needed Bam to be more than a defensive stalwart.
They’ve needed him to be aggressive, to be a scoring threat, to be the kind of offensive presence that can stabilize a lineup in flux. Instead, he’s faded into the background.
That’s not just a tactical issue - that’s a leadership one. Because when a team is this banged up and this desperate for a spark, your stars have to carry the weight. And right now, Bam isn’t doing that.
A Season That Started With Promise Is Slipping Away
This Heat team didn’t look like a fringe play-in squad a few weeks ago. Early in the season, they were one of the East’s most consistent teams, playing smart, physical basketball and winning tight games. But that version of Miami feels like a distant memory.
Injuries have played a role, no doubt. But even with key players out, the Heat have always prided themselves on their next-man-up mentality.
That only works, though, if the top guys hold the line. And in this stretch, Bam hasn’t held it - at least not on the offensive end.
The Questions Start at the Top
Every team hits rough patches, but what separates contenders from pretenders is how their stars respond. For Miami, that spotlight is squarely on Bam Adebayo. He’s the cornerstone of this roster, the guy they’ve built around, the player who’s supposed to bridge the gap between grit and greatness.
Right now, that bridge is shaky.
If the Heat want to turn this season around, it starts with Bam rediscovering his offensive identity - not just as a finisher, but as a creator and tone-setter. Because when he’s playing with force and confidence, Miami looks like a different team. But when he’s passive, the whole offense grinds to a halt.
There’s still time for Adebayo to flip the switch. But the clock is ticking, and the Heat’s margin for error is shrinking fast.