Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The reality of the build

Bam Adebayo snapped out of his early-season funk against the Washington Wizards in Mexico City, leading the team to its third win in five outings. His jumper was falling, and he was dynamite at close range. The rival was 2-2 before that, but it was a tune-up game that he must build on going forward and likely will.

But there’s still a more significant concern: the Heat have only beat low-level outfits and aren’t getting enough from Jimmy Butler. Before Paolo Banchero hurt his oblique against the Bulls, the Heat was drawn and quartered by his Magic squad on Pat Riley appreciation night. Then the Knicks derailed them in the second half of the game on Oct. 30.

Butler, age 35, underwhelmed both nights, looking more like a JAG than a franchise player.

Perhaps they’ll atone with a convincing win in Phoenix. And maybe, they’ll finish above the Magic in the standings as their 1A is out indefinitely. But the Heatles don’t stand a chance against the Celtics and Cavaliers because they are too small, not as talented and Butler has presumably slowed down.

The reality of the build is that too many things had to go right for Butler and Adebayo to win a championship. Perhaps the former had the juice to be the kingpin on a title squad, but Josh Hart jumped into his ankle in 2023, then the Trail Blazers refused to swap Damian Lillard for Miami’s background players months later, and Goran Dragic plus Adebayo were wounded in 2020, so we’ll never know.

This much is clear: Adebayo is at best the third-best player on a championship unit. Management has failed to bring in someone with extra polish offensively for over a half-decade as rival execs were not and are not wowed by the trade bait. Adebayo is unqualified for the Robin role because his offensive arsenal isn’t diverse enough and his effective field goal percentage and true shooting decrease with higher usage.

Adebayo has added a hook and mid-range jumper, but those moves aren’t reliable enough, and the deep shot is still in its elementary stages. He is best as a rim roller due to his supreme athleticism.

Consider this: he’d be the sixth offensive option on Pat Riley’s Lakers behind Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Bob McAdoo and Byron Scott.

Adebayo’s defense is far superior and is rarely equaled. Most players around him can guard well as a team, but the Heat needs stricter pests to maximize him. The group finally got size around him with Nikola Jović, but he plays just 23 of 48 minutes nightly and can get exposed by speed.

After five seasons into the Butler and Adebayo mold, the team shouldn’t have any untouchables. They overachieved by making two Finals appearances and winning at least four series they weren’t favored before it tipped off. That’s a special run those who lived it will never forget. But there isn’t extra fuel to burn.

Where is Pat Riley? Can’t he see that no gut check will save them or that his successor, Erik Spoelstra, has expended every ounce of gas from the club? If only it were as simple as Spo lining up his troops, Full Metal Jacket-style, and having Riley and Alonzo Mourning stand face-to-face with them, sizing them up and demanding more.

Bearing in mind Butler’s age and decreased impact during the last year of his contract, management would get something decent back in return for trading him, but they have until Feb. 6.

Adebayo is the top trade chip for the team, but he can’t be moved until mid-December. If a real white whale whale becomes available, he along with a couple of role players and multiple first-round picks, turns into an attractive package. In that hypothetical scenario, snagging the star and figuring it out later, like the team has done before, is the way.

Sure, the team could move Butler and proceed with Adebayo as the top dog, but it’s too hard to build around an offensively limited player. Don’t forget how the Heat resists the tank, so they’re not drafting a stud unless the teams above them blow it with their scouting evaluations. If this is the route chosen, the only salvation is if a star successfully demands a trade to Miami at the expense of their reputation.

—

For more info on the Miami Heat, subscribe to Off The Floor.