ASK IRA: Is a career-high scoring average essential to Bam Adebayo’s growth with the Heat?

Q: Hi, Ira. Regarding Bam Adebayo as a lead man for the Miami Heat: Why do most pundits insist that the lead man has to be the lead scorer when the rest of his game is elite and, more importantly, the elite of the game wants to play with him? – Carlos, West Park.

A: Because for all the rebounds and blocked shots and steals, it’s ultimately the points that matter, which is the most important thing. You can be elite without being a leading scorer, but a lead guy has to lead in the area that leads to winning more than anyone else, seemingly. So the question with Bam Adebayo is whether his career-best scoring average of 20.4 points from two seasons ago can become something more. Last season, 45 players averaged more than Bam Adebayo’s 19.3 points per game, almost all of them fueled by 3-point conversions. So when you’re not in the Top 40 or better among leading scorers, it’s hard to be seen as a lead guy. And actually, the second part of your question answers the first. So many people want to play with Bam because they know he’s going to leave the scoring to someone else, like he did with the Heat, like he did with the Olympic team.

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Q: Now that we’re seeing all these injuries to the Dolphins before their season opener, I hope Heat fans can accept that injuries are part of the game. – Edwin

A: I think we all accept that. But that doesn’t mean there can’t be disappointment. And when it becomes a trend, like it did with the Heat with players like Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, it hurts. It’s not so much the extent of the injuries, it’s the who. You have to be at your best, otherwise you can’t be at your best.

Q: I ask this sincerely because I’m genuinely curious: Why do South Florida fans hold the Heat significantly more accountable than the Dolphins? The Heat have won three championships, made multiple Finals, and been in multiple playoff series since the Dolphins won a single playoff game. – Tyrone

A: Because success breeds expectations. It’s a good problem to have.