Both Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers have received comparisons to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. There were even instances when they became trade pieces for a swap to get the services of the Greek Freak.
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Apr 28, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) drives to the basket against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) in the second quarter during game four for the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
These two being sized up with Giannis is not out of nowhere. They are both agile big men who can play above the rim.
Adebayo is a defensive juggernaut, having been named to the NBA Defensive Team and NBA Second Defensive Team twice. He has been an All-Star three times since arriving in the league in 2017 as the Heat’s 14th overall pick.
Mobley, who is younger than Adebayo, has better accolades. He is already a Defensive Player of the Year at 24 years old and part of the Defensive Team twice.
Antetokounmpo himself is also a beast on defense, getting named as DPOY in 2020 and member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team for four straight years starting in 2019.
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Apr 5, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks for space as Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) defends during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Adebayo and Mobley are offense scarecrows similar to Giannis but to be able to become him, they need to elevate themselves.
Jeff Teague chooses Bam Adebayo as closer to Giannis
Both Adebayo and Mobley are great players in their own rights. However, if they want to reach the same level as Antetokounmpo, to become dominant, they need to use their physicality.
Former NBA guard Jeff Teague, who was part of the 2021 Bucks team that won the title, thinks the Heat big man can do it better than his Cavaliers counterpart.
“I just think Bam can go to another level that Evan Mobley can’t, just because his physicality,” Teague said on his podcast when asked to compare the two players.
Milwaukee Bucks, Khris Middleton
May 5, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jeff Teague (5) reacts after scoring a three-point basket with an assist from forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
“Bam can be Giannis [Antetokounmpo], in like a different kind of way. Evan Mobley’s more closer because of his arms and the way he’s built, but the way Bam move, like he can dribble and (bleep).”
Adebayo’s mindset has to change though to achieve it.
“His aggressiveness and the way he play just doesn’t mirror Giannis. He don’t move as fluid as Giannis.”
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