Bam Adebayo’s ‘disgusting’ and ‘shameless’ 83-point night has enraged NBA fans
Wilt Chamberlain’s historic 100-point game is a record that has stood since 1962.
In the six decades since, only the great Kobe Bryant came close to reaching triple digits and threatening that mark, when he put up 81 points in 2006.
That was, until Tuesday, when a shock name wedged himself between those two legends in the NBA record books.
March 10 will go down as a red-letter day in basketball history, and will forever be remembered as the night Bam Adebayo scored 83 points for the Miami Heat.
Unlikely name joins Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant in record books
The Heat center hit the mark in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards, and also set the records for free throws made and attempted in a single game.
Adebayo finished 20-of-43 from the field, 36-of-43 from the foul line and 7-for-22 from 3-point range for a truly unique NBA stat line.
He was given a standing ovation and showered with water by teammates, before he hugged his mother and left the court in tears after the game.
“Wilt, me, then Kobe,” the Heat star said.
“It sounds crazy.”
Adebayo later added that he was doubtful of hitting 83 points, even as the night progressed.
“For me, it was just remaining calm, remaining locked in and understanding that I can go for something special,” he said.
“I didn’t think it was going to be 83.
“But to have this moment is surreal, because like I said, man, to be able to do it at home, in front of my mom, in front of my people, in front of the home fans, this is a mark in history that will forever be remembered.”
Adebayo, whose career high before Tuesday was 41, will now be remembered in the same breath as Wilt and Kobe.
But his historic haul didn’t sit right with everyone who watched history unfold.
Bam Adebayo’s historic mark slammed by NBA fans
Some, in fact, described is as a ‘disgraceful’ night — for both the Heat and the Wizards.
Adebayo’s record numbers came as his Miami teammates went out of their way to give him the ball in shooting positions.
Despite struggles from the field, he was able to get to the free throw line at will against a Wizards team that was well beaten, and one that has faced accusations of tanking for weeks.
The fourth quarter featured comical moments as the Heat continued to run up Adebayo’s score, and when he was approaching Bryant’s 81-point mark, teammates even began intentionally fouling their opponents while on defense to preserve time.
What unfolded didn’t sit well with plenty of fans, who expressed their feelings on social media.
There was similar uproar when Joel Embiid dropped 70 points in a single game back in 2024.
“Bam Adebayo is now the architect of perhaps the most shameless, disgusting performance in sports history — 83 points. Second most all time. Up 30 vs the worst team (in the league) and kept himself in. Kept gunning. Challenged flops. Despicable,” one posted on X.
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“This Bam Adebayo s*** is the most unethical thing I’ve ever watched… This isn’t basketball. Legitimately one of the lamest things I’ve seen,” another wrote.
“Bam just had the grossest historic game ever. He became the first ever player to score 70 while shooting under 50% on FGs (20/43). He attempted 43 free throws and made 36, both the most ever. He played 42 minutes & his team intentionally fouled to prolong a 30-point blowout,” a third said.
“The NBA is officially a clown show. What other pro league acts like this? Fouling the Wizards to preserve the clock up 20 to stat pad Bam’s points…” a fourth wrote.
“Bam Adebayo has utterly disgraced the NBA. What an embarrassment. Adam Silver, look what you’ve done to the league,” a fifth said.
All that talk, though, probably won’t bother Adebayo or the Heat too much.
NBA icons including Kevin Durant and LeBron James appeared impressed.
KD described it as a ‘huge accomplishment’ and LeBron wrote ‘BAM BAM BAM’ online, even if his single-game record of 61 points for the Heat had been bettered.
“An absolutely surreal night,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra added of Adebayo’s effort.
“Obviously, we’ve been blessed to have been part of a lot of big moments in this arena.
“This one, it just happened. Moments happen and I’m grateful that we’re all able to be a part of it and witness it.”
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