Adebayo says criticism can’t dim 83-point night
adebayo-dismisses-83-point-criticism
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo insisted Thursday that he is unfazed by backlash surrounding his 83-point performance two nights earlier, the second-highest single-game total in NBA history.
Speaking after Miami’s win over Milwaukee, Adebayo argued that the debate should focus on Wizards interim coach Brian Keefe, whose club stayed in single coverage until Adebayo reached 70 points with about nine minutes left. “I was not the one that let me go one-on-one the whole game,” Adebayo said. “At that point, I had 70… You think I’m not going for it?”
Late-game tactics draw fire
In the closing minutes of Tuesday’s contest in Washington, Miami committed a series of intentional fouls to regain possession and feed Adebayo, while the Wizards eventually sent multiple defenders to prevent him from eclipsing Kobe Bryant’s 81 points in 2006.
The 26-year-old set the tone with 31 first-quarter points, reached 43 by halftime and entered the fourth quarter with 62. He established NBA records for free throws made (36) and attempted (43) in a game, 16 of them in the final period. “I was legitimately getting fouled every time,” he said. “It’s not like I average 10 free throws a game.”
Coach Spoelstra defends approach
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, addressing reporters before Thursday’s matchup, echoed his center’s stance. “I apologize to absolutely no one,” Spoelstra said, noting Miami played without injured Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Kelel Ware and Andrew Wiggins and needed Adebayo to drive the offense.
Spoelstra dismissed criticism of the Heat’s strategy, calling himself “a Darwinist in this league.” He added, “You can do anything you want in this game … If we get criticized for what we do, there’s nothing wrong with what [the Wizards are] doing either.”
Adebayo closed his remarks by reiterating that outside opinions will not diminish the achievement. “If you’re mad, I don’t care,” he said. “If you get that close to chasing greatness, the point is to surpass it.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
