Here’s the biggest quandary of the 2017 re-draft: who goes second overall? Is it Donovan Mitchell, the explosive creator who might be capable of leading the charge for a contender? Or is it Bam Adebayo, arguably the single best “No. 2” in the NBA — an elite, all-world defender whose complementary skills have been foundational to two separate conference finals runs in Miami?
Adebayo will never be able to lead an offense like Mitchell. His scoring profile is too limited in scope. On the flip side, Adebayo is the fulcrum of maybe the East’s most consistent defense. He can switch 1-5, really switch 1-5, and he’s an excellent rim protector too. Adebayo has locked down the likes of Trae Young, Jayson Tatum, and Joel Embiid on the game’s biggest stage. That kind of malleability and competitive spirit cannot go unrewarded.
It’s borderline shameful that Adebayo has only made one All-Star team. He gets better each season, making marginal improvements on the offensive end while cementing his singular status on defense. Adebayo doesn’t score like a No. 1, but he does put up points. He can trapeze around the post with graceful footwork or put his head down and charge down the defense’s throat. His jump shot is little more than a fledging at this point, but there are signs of long-term potential.
The secret weapon for Adebayo is his passing. He’s a legitimate offensive hub at the elbow with two seasons of over five assists per game under his belt. Why Adebayo may too often shy away from generating his own points, he does leverage his physicality and the attention he commands to generate looks for teammates. Again, there just aren’t many better second bananas in the NBA right now. You need those guys to win a championship — something Miami has come close to doing once already during Adebayo’s career.