Heat’s Spoelstra comments on Adebayo’s 83-point performance: ‘Must seize the opportunity’
MIAMI — Erik Spoelstra conveyed a straightforward message to those who disapproved of the way the concluding moments of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game unfolded.
In essence, the Miami Heat coach is unconcerned.
“I apologize to absolutely no one,” Spoelstra stated on Thursday. “Period.”
Adebayo’s 83-point performance — now the second-highest single-game total in NBA history, 17 points shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 and two points ahead of Kobe Bryant’s 81 — was unprecedented. The Heat center attempted 43 shots in a 150-129 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, setting an NBA record with 36 made free throws and 43 attempts from the foul line.
The final minutes were chaotic, with the Wizards employing as many as four defenders on Adebayo — who continued to receive the ball — while the Heat fouled Washington players four times in the closing moments to prolong the game and provide their center with additional scoring chances.
Amid the commotion regarding the last minutes, Spoelstra emphasized that Adebayo had 31 points in the first quarter, 43 by halftime, 62 after three quarters, 70 with 9:05 remaining, and 77 with 3:26 left. The first instance of Miami fouling to regain possession for Adebayo occurred with 1:40 remaining.
“There was a moment, and when there’s a moment in time like that, it’s carpe diem,” Spoelstra remarked, referencing the Latin phrase for “seize the day.” “You have to go for it, and that was just thrilling. And I’m honored that we were all able to be a part of it.”
A few coaches around the NBA — including the LA Clippers’ Tyronn Lue and Denver’s David Adelman among them — have expressed no objections to the Heat utilizing the final minutes to enhance what was already a remarkable point total.
Adelman noted that Adebayo is one of the finest professionals in the league, and taking a night to “go a little bit crazy” was entertaining.
“He made the extra pass in the fourth quarter when he had 60. He blocked a shot. He was still engaged in the game,” Adelman stated. “When you reach 70, I’m sorry, man, like all bets are off. … I thought it was really cool.”
Wizards coach Brian Keefe did not appear pleased with how the final moments unfolded on Tuesday. On Thursday in Orlando, prior to his team’s matchup against the Magic, Keefe did not reflect on it.
“We’re focused on today,” Keefe remarked.
Spoelstra mentioned that he had a conversation with Adebayo before the game about the necessity for urgency. The Heat were missing several key players — including Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, and Kel’el Ware — due to injuries.
“It’s a Tuesday night game against a team that isn’t competing for anything, where their organization is trying to lose,” Spoelstra explained. “We’ve already experienced a loss in that kind of situation. … I spoke to Bam about wanting him, as our best player and team captain, to be focused and prepared. And, he certainly was.”
Spoelstra acknowledged that keeping Adebayo in during the latter stages of a decided game — Adebayo exited for good with 1:08 remaining — was atypical, and it was. He also stated that memorable moments are “what our fans want to see” and that “a really magical night just appeared out of nowhere.”
In his view, that does not warrant any apologies.
“It doesn’t diminish anything from our organization, how we feel about Bam, how special that night was,” Spoelstra stated. “Our fan base is electrified by this moment.”
And so was the head coach, who made it clear that he will do anything for Adebayo.
The Heat suffered a significant defeat at home against a struggling Sacramento team on Dec. 6, just one day before Spoelstra hosted his annual 5K run to benefit Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. The run was set to begin early on a Sunday morning. Adebayo had only nine points in the loss to the Kings, and the Heat were in a downward spiral.
Without prompting, Adebayo arrived to assist that morning. Spoelstra was deeply impressed by the gesture.
“He was there, not to run, just to support,” Spoelstra said. “Just to support and let people know that he was backing this cause. That speaks volumes about him as a person. That’s why I’ll do anything for him as a competitor and as his head coach.”
