The new-look Miami Heat continued to frustrate their fans, dropping to 0-4 after another loss against the Dallas Mavericks. Bam Adebayo’s slow start has already become a major talking point, but the Heat star believes he has turned into a scapegoat amid the growing media scrutiny. Adebayo’s visibly ‘pissed’ reaction prompted NBA insider Howard Beck to suggest that his frustration might stem from something related to his co-star, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

On The Ringer, Beck suggested Adebayo’s media outburst stems from frustration over his place in the ‘Giannis universe.’

“Vibes don’t feel great,” Beck said. “The fact he’s this defensive, I don’t think that’s really about the media. I think that’s something he’s pissed about internally. You don’t lash out like that after a 4-game losing streak. I’m going to guess that internal thing he’s not happy about is where he is right now in this universe that has been completely reconstructed around Giannis.”

Adebayo did not explicitly hold Giannis responsible for his early-season struggles, yet his reaction has fueled questions about whether the two stars can effectively maximize their respective abilities while sharing the court.

After successfully convincing Antetokounmpo to join Miami, the Heat generated considerable excitement among fans, with many anticipating a strong season from the revamped roster. However, the team’s opening performances have fallen well short of those expectations.

Meanwhile, Adebayo has struggled to find his offensive rhythm throughout the team’s difficult start. Across four games, the Heat star is averaging 11.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 40% from the field and just 16.7% from three-point range.

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Adebayo’s offensive struggles were particularly noticeable during Miami’s 113-109 loss to Dallas. He finished the game with just eight points on 3-of-10 shooting, alongside eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Despite the disappointing start, it remains too early to determine whether Miami’s star partnership will ultimately fail. The Heat must find a way to create more offensive opportunities for Adebayo while preserving Giannis’ strengths.