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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 24: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter of an NBA game at Smoothie King Center on February 24, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat have been a popular topic of conversation around the NBA after Bam Adebayo scored 83 points in a game against the Wizards. It’s the second-most points a single player has scored in a game in NBA history.
Supporters love that Adebayo was allowed to go for it to pass Kobe Bryant. Scoring that many points is incredibly difficult. Detractors say it was an unethical way to score that many points. Adebayo’s coach, Erik Spoelstra, had his back after he achieved that feat.
Warriors forward Draymond Green loves that Adebayo was able to accomplish this feat. He had a strong message for the haters.
Draymond Green Backs Up Miami Heat Star Bam Adebayo
While speaking on The Draymond Green Show, the Golden State forward crushed detractors of Adebayo’s performance.
“Y’all want Spo to feel bad for that team, that organization, and take Bam out of the game and not let him go after the record? Why? I hate these unwritten a– rules in basketball. I always talk about these. Don’t shoot the ball, don’t score the ball when you’re ahead and the clock’s running down. F— that! It’s a basketball game!”
Green believes that there’s no reason why the Heat should have taken Adebayo out at the end of the game.
“If you’re losing, it’s okay to go shoot the ball because you’re losing. But if you’re winning, it’s not okay because you’re winning. What the hell is that? Feel bad for winning? ‘You’re supposed to take him out of the game because you’re up so many points.’ Says who? There’s time on the clock. It’s not his fault they stink.”
Green clearly believes that Adebayo should keep playing his game until the final buzzer goes off. That’s exactly what he did. He wanted to be a part of NBA history, and Adebayo isn’t going to apologize for doing that.
Bam Adebayo Will be a Defensive Target Every Game Now
Now that Adebayo has shown the ability to score this many points, opposing teams are going to load up on him. He is going to take up a large chunk of the game plan for opposing teams. It’s highly unlikely he will be able to keep up scoring the ball at that level.
Right now, the Heat have the 13th-best offense in the league. More scoring from Adebayo would help improve that, but he’s not someone who can consistently score 30 points per game for Miami. He is still the best player they have on the court on a nightly basis, though.
Miami has moved all the way up to sixth in the Eastern Conference. That would keep them out of the play-in if the season ended today. Having guys around Adebayo who can score on a regular basis is key for them to keep that spot as the rest of the season unfolds.
Without Tyler Herro, the Heat don’t have a reliable second scorer to pair with Adebayo. Adebayo will continue to have to take the most shots on the team by a wide margin.