Miami Heat is all about tough love and discipline. The competitiveness of the Heat culture is instilled in the players. And the same can be said about the current captain, Bam Adebayo. He has made a massive impact as a two-way player. As he carries forward the team’s legacy, he’s steadily catching up to the former elite players of the franchise. He has already moved past Alonzo Mourning for second place on the Heat’s all-time rebounding list. And, not so surprisingly, the man leading the list has seemingly gotten the hint that he is next!

Adebayo made yet another impact with 19 points in the thrilling 106-90 win over the Washington Wizards. He added 15 rebounds and 5 assists. The veteran player is in his eighth season with the franchise. He has already surpassed Rony Seikaly to become Miami’s all-time leader in double-doubles with a record of 222. And after his latest feat, he is all set to surpass the leading man in some of the franchise records as well who is none other than Udonis Haslem. 

After the game, Adebayo was quick to call the Heat legend and inform him that he was targeting his record too. “I’m going to catch you,” Adebayo told Haslem over a phone call during the press conference. The fear was obvious in response as Haslem said, “Everybody on the video, I ain’t in no rush for Bam to break my record y’all. I know y’all think I love Bam, but I don’t love him that much.” And, well, while Haslem certainly said it as a joke, he only wants to encourage Adebayo. He was quick to add, “Don’t say no crazy s—, Congratulations,” Haslem concluded.

Haslem is the franchise’s all-time leader in total rebounds, offensive rebounds, and defensive rebounds. The 3x NBA champ is the only undrafted player to be an all-time leader in rebounds. The Heat legend knows that he is next and sooner or later, Bam might surely compete for that honor. And while Haslem might be secretly hoping that it happens a little late, he contradicts his words by encouraging him. 

Udonis Haslem wanted to encourage Bam Adebayo

Haslem also once snubbed Adebayo from a special list for one good reason. Speaking on ESPN’s NBA Today, the basketball legend gave a list of the league’s top five big men. And he didn’t mention Adebayo. The reason was simple for him. He only wanted to encourage Adebayo to work harder on his game.

Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, Karl Anthony Towns, Victor Wembanyama, and Domantas Sabonis are the names that he mentioned. Later, he added, “You know what Bam going to do when he sees this list? Play even harder.” Before his retirement, Haslem even mentioned how after him, it will be Bam who will be carrying the torch. And the Miami Heat star has been making an impact as a leader. 

“We talk about Heat culture, I’m the keeper of the culture right now. But at some point, it has to be someone else. I think it will and it is going to be Bam,” Haslem said. Just a few days ago, the basketball legend defended the star. While he was being a critic of the player, Haslem has also been Adebayo’s biggest supporter and is always seen rooting for him.