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Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) reacts after becoming the NBA's second highest scorer of points in a game against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center. Adebayo scored 83 points. Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

Why criticism of Bam Adebayo's 83-point performance is unwarranted

By Sean Keane | Last updated Mar 13, 2026 3:38 PM ET

In an NBA season where nearly a third of the teams are losing on purpose, Bam Adebayo got a torrent of criticism for scoring 83 points Tuesday against the woeful Washington Wizards.

Friday, the Miami Heat center responded to his critics on "The Dan Patrick Show," explaining that the Wizards never double-teamed him until he had 70 points with nine minutes to go. It's a strange development that, facing a tanking team like the Wizards, Adebayo is the one getting flak for actually trying.

Bam Adebayo's performance was eye-popping regardless of opponent

To score in massive numbers in NBA, there's always some element of stat-padding. In Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game, his teammates tried to feed him the ball on every fourth-quarter possession, while the opposing New York Knicks began slowing the game down and intentionally-fouling Chamberlain's teammates, despite trailing in the game.

The Phoenix Suns intentionally fouled to get the ball back while trailing in Devin Booker's 70-point effort in 2017, while the Toronto Raptors stayed in a zone defense during Kobe Bryant's 27-point third quarter when he went for 81 in 2006.

Adebayo made it clear that he very much tried to beat Bryant's total of 81 points, but questioned why he was criticized for it.

"Everyone wants to be mad at me, but be mad their coach for not doubling me when I had 30 in a quarter."

-Bam Adebayo on his 83 point performance pic.twitter.com/PWC5tcO46b
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 13, 2026

Patrick added that no one seemed to have a problem with how the teams played in the first three quarters, when Adebayo put up 64 points — a far higher rate of scoring than in the fourth.

Reaction to Bam Adebayo shows warped reactions to late-season NBA

The odd reaction to Adebayo may have been that he seemed unworthy of logging the second-highest single-game scoring performance in NBA history. But the idea that Adebayo should have taken himself out of the game or not tried to beat Bryant's mark seems contrary to the idea of competing. Bryant certainly wasn't known for showing mercy to opponents and giving less than full effort.

It's a strange season where injuries and a loaded draft class have caused a huge gulf between teams trying to win and teams angling for draft position. Washington traded for Trae Young and has played him only three games, which is far worse for the integrity of the NBA than Adebayo's huge game.

The Wizards are indeed a bad team, but at least a quarter of NBA teams are resting stars, limiting minutes and giving two-way players huge minutes — and only Adebayo has managed to crack 80 points.

Adebayo and the Heat tried to make history and they succeeded, turning a forgettable early-March game into a compelling spectacle. The NBA needs more players and teams going all-out late in the season, not fewer, so Adebayo should be celebrated. And he shouldn't have to apologize for trying.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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