With the All-Star Game this week, the Miami Heat have a representative in Norman Powell, who is enjoying an incredible season with the team. Miami suffered a massive blow when Terry Rozier was arrested on gambling charges, but Powell has been a seamless addition to the backcourt and has emerged as the team’s best scorer. However, there may be another player on the Heat who could be argued as a more deserving representative.
Bleacher Report released an article highlighting the five most undeserving NBA All-Stars along with the five biggest snubs. One alternative the outlet provided was Bam Adebayo over Powell.
"We'll get into the numbers, but the best argument for Bam Adebayo as an All-Star is about what we just feel to be true: He is the Miami Heat," the article wrote. "His defensive versatility, unselfish offensive mindset and steadying influence on both ends define the team. That shows up in the best on-off net rating swing among Heat players with at least 1,300 minutes. And it's also evident in the way Miami completely falls apart on the defensive glass and in the scoring column whenever he's not in the game. In a down year, Adebayo is putting up 18.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while extending his range to levels never before seen. He has already attempted more threes than he did all of last year, and is hitting them at a 34.6 percent clip that draws defensive attention. As a five-position defender who can score on his own and facilitate, Adebayo is one of one."
Adebayo has been the anchor for the Heat this season and a consistent All-Star throughout his career. Powell had a career year last season with the Los Angeles Clippers but was largely left out of All-Star conversations. This year, he is making the most out of it with his contract set to expire this offseason.
"Powell's 23.0 points per game are well ahead of Adebayo's 18.2, and it shouldn't be a surprise that the scoring specialist is also getting his numbers more efficiently than his two-way teammate," the article added. "Powell's 61.6 true shooting percentage is objectively excellent. But the veteran wing isn't a defensive difference-maker, and he's logged more turnovers against fewer assists than Adebayo. If the Heat have an All-Star, it should be the guy with a more well-rounded impact on the team."
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