Former Heat coach calls Bam Adebayo ‘overrated’

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Former Heat coach calls Bam Adebayo ‘overrated’

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated Oct 15, 2026 8:40 PM ET

Bam Adebayo has another prominent hater.

NBA analyst Stan Van Gundy appeared this week on The Ringer’s “The Zach Lowe Show.” During the episode, the conversation turned to the 2026-27 season outlook for the Miami Heat.

Van Gundy did not have very many good things to say about the Heat. He said that he would be “surprised” if Miami earned a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference, expressed doubts that Davion Mitchell was a starting-caliber point guard, and emphasized the health concerns surrounding new Heat superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Additionally, Van Gundy took a notable shot at Miami’s star big man Adebayo. Van Gundy said that he believed Adebayo was “a little overrated, particularly at the offensive end of the floor.”

Stan Van Gundy is OUT on the Miami Heat and says Bam Adebayo is overrated “I’m not as high on Miami as people are… The shooting they added compromises them badly on the defensive end of the floor. Even though he was great last year, I’m not sold on Davion Mitchell as a full time starting PG… I’d actually be surprised if they were in the top 6… I’m not a fan of their roster. — I think Wiggins is underrated but I think Bam is a little overrated, particularly at the offensive end of the floor. I’m not sold on them” Damn.
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) October 15, 2026

Van Gundy, who now serves as a commentator for Amazon Prime, might not necessarily be an objective party here. After all, Van Gundy was the head coach of the Heat from 2003-05 but was seemingly forced out of position so that Pat Riley (who is still Miami’s president) could return as Heat head coach.

As for Adebayo, he is a three-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive selection, who is widely considered to be one of the best and most versatile defenders in the NBA. Adebayo did also put up 20.1 points per game last season (including a staggering modern-day record of 83 points in a single game), but that somehow managed to give the 6-foot-9 big man even more detractors.

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