The Miami Heat have had a slow start to the season. At the start of the season in the Giannis Antetokounmpo area, the Heat are 4-6. With Bam Adebayo having an up-and-down start to the early-season campaign, that led to a conversation with former Miami Heat veteran turned Prime Video analyst Udonis Haslem.
Udonis Haslem says he reminds Bam Adebayo that he is NOT Joel Embiid:
“You’re a effort and energy guy, that has All Star talent. You’re not Joel Embiid. Joel Embiid can go out there on one knee and get 30. You got to bring that sh*t every night. You can get your 30, but you have… pic.twitter.com/B768PGTizY
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) November 10, 2026
In a recent media availability, Adebayo didn't want to share their discussion publicly.
“It's just him showing he cares,” he said. “That's really the answer I can give you about what he said.”
But it appears Haslem didn't mind divulging what he told the Miami Heat big man, sharing it on Dwayne Wade's Wyne Network. Haslem said Adebayo’s value comes from his effort and energy, contrasting it with Joel Embiid’s natural scoring ability.
Article Continues Below“You’re an effort and energy guy that has All-Star talent. You’re not Joel Embiid. Joel Embiid can go out there on one knee and get 30. You got to bring that sh*t every night. You can get your 30, but you have to bring that sh*t every night to get your 30. That’s who you are. And that’s okay to be that guy.”
This season, across 10 games, Adabio is averaging 18.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals in 32.8 minutes of play. Early in the season, following the Heat's loss to Cooper Flag, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks, Adebayo addressed the media and responded to his critics.
“For me it's my shot not going in. I'm not going to overthink that. It's funny how the outside noise wants to make me the scapegoat but when the tables turn, when the energy shifts, just be prepared for that.”