Despite not winning Defensive Player of the Year in his career, Heat center Bam Adebayo expressed optimism about his chances next season, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel (hat tip to NBC Sports).
“I should have won it the last two years, and I will win it this year,” Adebayo told youth campers at a recent Heat clinic.
The 25-year-old has established himself as a versatile defender, enabling Miami to play a switch-heavy defense. He guarded players such as Trae Young, Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid during the Heat’s latest postseason run.
There’s more from the Eastern Conference tonight:
- Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will play with the Greek National Team in the EuroBasket this year, Hellenic Basketball Federation president Vaggelis Liolios confirmed, as relayed by Christos Tsaltas (Twitter link). Antetokounmpo also recently hinted at the decision on social media.
- As Tsaltas noted, Bucks assistant coach Josh Oppenheimer will also join the Greek National Team with Antetokounmpo. Oppenheimer has served as an assistant with Milwaukee since 2020 and was part of the team’s championship run last season.
- Magic guard Terrence Ross is enthusiastic about the team’s roster entering next season, as relayed by Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel (video link). While Ross doesn’t know what his future holds with the franchise, it’s clear he thinks highly of the young nucleus Orlando has — which includes No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero.