As the landscape of offenses in the NBA become more perimeter oriented and post play continues to be reduced, big men across the league are being involved more and more in screen and roll action to offset any shortcomings as it relates to their shooting ability.

While rim protectors who can also shoot well enough to prevent defenses from packing the painted area are at a premium around the league, there are some big men that are pushing against the notion that shooting from the perimeter is crucial to being an effective spacer.

Deep in the trenches of the painted area, Edrice “Bam” Adebayo carries out the tough and grating work ethic of Miami’s “Heat Culture” on a nightly basis.

Bam plays for a competitive Heat team and at times is pitted at a size disadvantage against opposing centers but still finds a way to be effective on the offensive end. While the 22-year old first time all-star may have surprised fans by capturing the Skills Competition award during the break, Adebayo’s abilities have allowed him to be one of the more effective scorers in one of the most unfriendliest areas of the floor on the offensive end.

In 2020 the non-restricted area of the paint is a place that is barren for scoring opportunities. Normally this part of the floor is limited to floaters courtesy of driving wings or even the occasional turnaround shot out of the now archaic post up action, but it is in this very area that Adebayo finds his success.

The Data

Among forwards across the league Bam ranks sixth highest in field goal attempts in the non restricted area of the paint (230 FGA) while ranking fourth highest in field goal percentage at 45.2% among forwards with a minimum of atleast 200 attempts.

The three players that rank higher than Adebayo in field goal percentage are Tobias Harris, Kawhi Leonard, and DeMar DeRozan. Considering that all three of the players are integral parts of their offenses, it is safe to say that Bam is in great company.

Even if we get a little closer to the rim, Adebayo has the eight highest field goal attempts in the restricted area (395 FGA) and seventh highest field goal percentage at 71.9% among all forwards with a minimum of 250 attempts.

The Tape

What makes Bam’s scoring in the non restricted area so impressive is not just the numbers. The film on how he scores in that area is a testament to what many fans may have not realized until Adebayo won the skills challenge.

Bam Adebayo has an excellent touch on his “flat footed” floaters and jumpers

Many of the shots that Adebayo gets in the painted area is as a result of of the screen and roll action that Miami runs with different ball handlers. While that isn’t something out of the norm, Bam’s ability to make shots without needing to get to the rim makes Miami’s screen and roll even more effective.

His shot making makes the typical defensive rotations more difficult as weak side defenders waiting at the rim are too deep to contest and since he isn’t diving to the rim every time, it opens better passing angles for his teammates.

Take a look below at how he is able to be effective in the paint:

While Adebayo does well against the more heavy footed rim defenders, he does have some trouble against elite rim defenders who are more nimble than normal like Anthony Davis and Rudy Gobert mainly because they are able to recover and close the distance on his attempts well enough to affect his shot rhythm.

As the Heat continue to work towards their championship aspirations, their acquisitions via draft, trade, and free agency have been lined with quality talent and effective role players. At the helm of that roster is one of the brighter coaching minds around the league in Erik Spoelstra who handles the difficult task of balancing players with overlapping skillsets.

While all eyes may be on the more star powered names like Jimmy Butler or highly regarded role players like Andre Iguodala, it is Adebayo that has shown fantastic play on the offensive end that continues to fly under the radar for the general NBA audience. If nothing else, Bam’s throwback short range prowess is something to be appreciated as he continues to succeed as one of the leagues bright young stars.