Bam Adebayo’s performance was sensational and doesn't deserve to be downplayed

[p][b]"Let’s be clear: what you’re about to read could easily be considered the harshest kind of criticism. Also, take this warning as relating to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/adebayo-bam/IPZuNhhs/"]Bam Adebayo[/a]’s historic performance Tuesday in Miami: I only watched a few minutes of the game against the Washington Generals—sorry, the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/washington-wizards/W6vGWPsn/"]Wizards[/a]—and I have no intention of watching more."[/b][/p][p]That’s how [b]Sam Amick[/b], a respected journalist who writes for The Athletic and the New York Times, begins his take on a performance that sparked debate: on Tuesday night, [b]Bam Adebayo scored 83 points[/b], surpassing the 81 scored by [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bryant-kobe/KdSVPu56/"]Kobe Bryant[/a][/b] in January 2026, and moved into second place for most points in an NBA game, behind [b]Wilt Chamberlain[/b]’s 100 in 1962.[/p][p][b]On that note – Bam Adebayo scores 83 points, the second-highest total ever in a single NBA game![/b][/p][p]And since that night, instead of a chorus of praise for a historic feat, we’ve seen a parade of current and former NBA figures explaining why this achievement doesn’t matter, or isn’t worth much.[/p][h2]If the free throws are justified, there’s no issue[/h2][p]One example among many: Robert Horry, a seven-time NBA champion (the only player with that many titles who wasn’t part of the legendary [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/boston-celtics/KYD9hVEm/"]Boston Celtics[/a] of the 1960s), who said an asterisk should be attached to this performance, as he explained on NBA Courtside.[/p][p][b]“43 shots, 43 free throws, I saw some highlights… 83 points is impressive, but there comes a point where you have to respect the game. At times, that wasn’t the case. It’ll go down as the second-best total in history, but I want to put an asterisk next to it.”[/b][/p][p]Here’s the sticking point: the free throws. 43 attempted, 36 made. Both are records. It’s obviously not the most entertaining way to play, but it’s simply about exploiting the opponent’s weakness. The Wizards have had one of the worst frontcourts in the NBA for years, and attacking them relentlessly is a valid strategy.[b] [/b]And clearly, almost all of those free throws were justified.[/p][embed guid="777b6cc9-8e01-45ec-850c-c648c843103a" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfHhcjfalgs" social-type="youtube" /][p]It was just a regular season game between two teams that aren’t exactly shining this year. The score was almost irrelevant ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/basketball/miami-heat-CQ7AXnT5/washington-wizards-W6vGWPsn/summary/stats/?mid=rXgKwstS"][b]150-129[/b][/a]), and yes, Eric Spoelstra could have played his center less, since Bam Adebayo was on the court for nearly 42 out of 48 possible minutes. But the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/miami-heat/CQ7AXnT5/"]Miami Heat[/a] coach decided to give his player, who was off to an incredible start (50 points in 25 minutes), a chance to make history—a once-in-a-lifetime performance.[/p][p]Isn’t that what the NBA is about? Watching a player—certainly not a random one (Adebayo is a multiple all-star)—push his limits and become a legend for a night? Or should we just watch the same players and teams dominate the league with no surprises? You can’t claim the NBA is more competitive than ever (seven different champions in a row) and then complain when that competitiveness spreads to everyone.[/p][h2]Are records off-limits now?[/h2][p]And then comes the worst argument, from [b]Sam Amick[/b] (and others): [b]Bam Adebayo[/b] and the Heat should have stopped at 81 points instead of trying to break [b]Kobe Bryant[/b]’s record. If you’re a sports fan, look away: apparently, you shouldn’t break records, you shouldn’t aim for excellence, you shouldn’t try to surpass the idol of a whole generation (and maybe of [b]Adebayo[/b] himself).[/p][embed guid="59309834-fc03-4442-b2e5-84c3138a398a" url="https://x.com/sam_amick/status/2031749106859958352?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Go tell [b]Tadej Pogačar[/b] not to win more than five Tours de France so [b]Eddy Merckx[/b] stays in the record books, tell [b]Carlos Alcaraz[/b] and [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/briesemeister-linus/2FDA5rk3/"]Jannik Sinner[/a][/b] not to surpass the [i]Big Three[/i], or tell the next sprinter closing in on [b]Usain Bolt[/b]’s times, “slow down before the finish line!” No, the real issue is the player himself.[/p][p]Bam Adebayo isn’t a superstar. He’s an excellent player, a multiple [i]All-Star[/i], and a pillar of Miami since joining the NBA in 2017. But he’s not flashy, he’s not a marketing sensation, his game isn’t spectacular, he doesn’t electrify crowds. Sometimes, he’s even seen as just “the partner” of A'ja Wilson, one of the WNBA’s superstars.[/p][p]If this performance had come from [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gilgeous-alexander-shai/d6TE5wgc/"]Shai Gilgeous-Alexander[/a][/b], [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/doncic-luka/pQ4ZBK0o/"]Luka Doncic[/a][/b], or even [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wembanyama-victor/jFmM1MFl/"]Victor Wembanyama[/a][/b] - another player at the same position - it wouldn’t have caused so much backlash. For example, when “Wemby” set his career-high last season, he scored 50 points in 32 minutes. Adebayo did it in 26 minutes in this game. What’s the connection? Both times,[b] [/b]it was against the Wizards.[/p][p]But here’s the real issue: it touches Kobe Bryant’s legacy. One of the NBA’s icons, whose status was cemented by his tragic death before age 40. One of the most influential players of the past 25 years, with his 81 points in 2006 as the crown jewel.[/p][embed guid="0d1cdb80-1eac-4e40-bdf6-521d43ac945f" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXZY4eVLlo" social-type="youtube" /][p]Yet, even then, it was “just” another regular season game, where he played… 42 out of 48 possible minutes, took every shot in the closing minutes, had far fewer free throws, but did everything to reach the highest possible score and surpass Wilt Chamberlain’s 78 points, then the second-best performance ever. In fact, his last seven points came… from the free throw line.[/p][p]And today, apparently, you can’t praise Bam Adebayo without bringing up Kobe Bryant. Spoiler: Yes, you can. If a rape accusation didn’t strip him of his legendary status, this game certainly won’t. As for records, they’re meant to be broken. Otherwise, why compete in sports?[/p][h2]Respect the achievement[/h2][p]We witnessed a sensational performance: 83 points in a game. That rarely happens. Why debate it? Why try to diminish the impact of such a monumental feat? All you hear is, “Of course, with 43 free throws, it’s much easier.” Sure, but if it’s so easy, why hasn’t anyone done it before?[/p][p]Bam Adebayo shot under 50% in this game, so he found another way to score. Most NBA players, most stars, are obsessed with their stats, their shooting percentages, to the point where they demand (and get) that missed shots don’t count against them. And when a player, ignoring his percentage, keeps trying until he achieves something historic, people still find a way to nitpick.[/p][p]The NBA is built around stars: stars set the tone, a fact that’s been discussed many times. And when it’s not a star who delivers an all-time performance, the NBA ecosystem sulks. No matter: as a certain [b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/antetokounmpo-giannis/zw2Tm2a1/"]Giannis Antetokounmpo[/a][/b] said, [b]“It doesn’t matter how you do it. All that matters is that you do it. In 30 years, nobody will remember how many free throws he took.”[/b] Case closed.[/p]