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NBA: 5 rookies who are starting to figure it out

By Evan Dyal

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 10: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 10, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 10: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 10, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 25: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat looks on during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena on October 25, 2017 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 25: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat looks on during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena on October 25, 2017 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat 

Man, I love Bam! Bam has been so good that Hassan Whiteside might be traded. He is Whiteside insurance. There is a lot to like about Bam; it’s hard to start. Bam is a jack of all trades center. For the season he is averaging 6.8 points, five rebounds, 1.6 assists per game on 55 percent shooting from the field and 75 percent from the line. Bam has been efficient with a 61 percent true shooting percentage, 19.4 assist ratio(an excellent mark for a rookie big man) and a PER of 16.79.

Miami doesn’t ask a lot of Bam on offense, but when his number is called, he delivers. Bam is ranked in the 79th percentile overall on offense, and when you combine passing, he is ranked in the 86th percentile.

Let’s start with his passing because it’s my favorite part of his game. Bam’s assist ratio is fourth on the team. Rember he is a center and rookie for god sakes. Plus his turnover ratio of 11.5 is not bad either, its average. Bam is excellent at finding cutters and kicking out to shooters. That is why Bam has assisted on 12.3 percent of his teammates made shots.

When it comes to scoring, Bam gets his buckets off putbacks, simple screen and rolls, cuts and in transition. He is a great athlete, and that shows in transition. Bam ranks in the 99th percentile in transition, Miami should let him run more. He still needs to work on his midrange game and finishing around the rim, but the start has been very promising.

The good news is Bam is drawing a lot of fouls, which has value on its own. He is already an average free throw shooter, and if he can get it up a bit, it will be a big part of his game going forward.

Defensively, Bam is already above average. He ranks in the 61st percentile defending pick and rolls and also is good defending spot-up action. Where he struggles is in isolation. Bam likely isn’t used to defending isolations, so that is why there is a struggle. It is clear Miami defends better with Bam as he is second on the team in defensive rating.

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While his one on one defense may need work, his help defense has been exceptional. His foul rate is good for a rookie, and he does it while getting steals and blocks at an above average rate. He has potential as a rim protector. Defensive rebounding can still use some work, but even that has been alright so far..

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