Boca Raton, FL – With the Miami Heat looking to display their new-look team in the preseason opener on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors, the franchise is looking to start the new era with Giannis Antetokounmpo with a bang. As the Heat got done with training camp at Florida Atlantic University on Friday, star Bam Adebayo would give insight into what it's been like building chemistry with his new star teammate.

Speaking after Friday's training camp session, there's no denying that all eyes will be on Adebayo and Antetokounmpo in leading the team as its dynamic duo after Miami made the blockbuster deal for the superstar with the Milwaukee Bucks back in July.

Heat's Bam Adebayo on the “process” with Giannis Antetokounmpo

While on paper the duo seems formidable, each is still getting used to “each other's tendencies,” as Adebayo put it.

“Oh, it's a process, but we're making each other better,” Adebayo said. “Not only going against each other, but being on each other's team, figuring out each other's tendencies, trying to figure out how we can win between those lines.”

Bam Adebayo on how it was like getting this week to work with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“It’s a process, but we’re making each other better. Not only going against each other, but being on each others team, figuring out each other’s tendencies…” #Heat pic.twitter.com/TSaJp0ZLVx

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 2, 2026

Aside from playing together in team drills, the two have also been battling one another, along with the rest of the big men in Miami, as a way for iron to sharpen iron.

While it may take time for the offense to click, there could be some that think defensively; it'll work immediately with the talent on that side of the ball, like with Adebayo, Antetokounmpo, Davion Mitchell, and Andrew Wiggins. However, Adebayo would say to ClutchPoints that communication will be key in getting everybody on the same page.

“Just got to get used to each other's tendencies on the defensive side,” Adebayo said. “You know, everybody knows we’re going to play fast. Playing fast takes all the thinking. We got the offense that we have; play fast. There's not a lot of thinking to read and react. From the defensive side, man, my biggest thing is always to communicate.”

Asked Bam about the adjustment process that the #Heat will have to go through:

“We just gotta get used to each other's tendencies…From the defensive side, my biggest thing is always communicate…The last couple days, it's been me, Davion, Giannis, even Wiggs is talking…” pic.twitter.com/NqAlplcHA9

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 2, 2026

“And for the last couple days, it's been me, Davion, Giannis, even Wiggs [Wiggins] is talking on defense now,” Adebayo continued. “As y'all know, Wiggs doesn't say a lot, but that's the one percent from everybody on the defensive side.”

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Erik Spoelstra on the “positive steps” the Heat took during training camp

It remains to be seen how the Heat will look in Saturday's preseason opener against the Raptors, as all 21 players on the preseason roster are traveling with the team. With the expectation of some regulars playing, head coach Erik Spoelstra said Friday after training camp that Miami “took some positive steps” in the four days at FAU.

“I feel we took some positive steps in four days in terms of how we want to play, the competitive spirit of that, getting guys comfortable, and then it's just the start,” Spoelstra said. “Training camp for us obviously is 23 days long until that first game. So we'll continue to move forward; it's good to have a game tomorrow and have guys hopefully play, if that's the plan. Want to maximize these five games.”

With the Heat going at one another in training camp sessions and during the summer, Saturday will be the first time they take on another team this season.

“We're looking forward to go against somebody else. We've been ultra physical this whole time,” Adebayo said. “Trying to get our tendencies down on the defensive side, so we're looking forward to get somebody else, and we try to compete for a W.”

At any rate, Miami looks to continue building rapport with one another, especially Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, as the preseason goes on ahead of the regular-season opener on Oct. 21 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.