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Bam Adebayo was my pick for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year. I thought his versatility gave him an advantage over other candidates.
However, the Miami big man was not named as a finalist for the award. That honor went to Mikal Bridges, Rudy Gobert, and Marcus Smart. Adebayo said the voting was “disrespectful” and believes he was snubbed because the Heat were not on national television often enough.
To his credit, although they finished the season with the best overall record in the Eastern Conference, Miami didn’t spend a ton of team in the spotlight. In fact, per NBA.com, the team had 21 games broadcast on national television. Compare that with the Bridges’ Suns (38), Smart’s Celtics (31), and Gobert’s Jazz (24).
But the lack of national television games isn’t stopping Adebayo’s teammate, Tyler Herro, from becoming our projected winner for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.
There was a bigger issue at play: Bridges led the league in minutes played and he was one of just two NBA players to appear on the court for more than 70 percent of possible minutes in 2021-22. Smart and Gobert both played for more than 50 percent of all possible minutes for their teams, but Miami had more minutes without Adebayo than they did with him.
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
When I was watching the Nets take on the Celtics in Boston, it was hard to keep my eyes off Kyrie Irving.
But I wasn’t just fixated by his dazzling performance on the court. I also couldn’t help but notice the way that fans at the TD Garden treated Irving, too. Chris Korman summed it up better than I could, and you could read his thoughts here:
“There are precisely zero valid reasons to yell obscenities at Kyrie Irving as he attempts to do his job. There’s also no reason to expect him to not respond in kind, as he did Sunday evening in Boston, causing the usual commotion about athlete decorum.”
It’s despicable behavior to treat Irving, and other professional athletes, as if they exist only for entertainment. He has every right to be upset by hostility in the crowd.
One to Watch
76ers (-7.5, -360) vs. Raptors (+270), O/U 215.5, 7:30 PM ET
(All odds via Tipico.)
Philadelphia captured the first win of this series, but to be honest, I’m sure I’m convinced they’re a better team than the Raptors. Toronto is dealing with health concerns, unfortunately, but I think they have enough depth to make serious noise in the postseason.
James Harden and Joel Embiid both struggled with efficiency during the first game of the series, but it seems Tyrese Maxey is ascending in front of our eyesd. Still, if the Raptors can even this one out, we will have an especially compelling few games on our hands.
Who’s in and out?
— Raptors: Scottie Barnes (ankle) is out against the 76ers on Monday
— Hawks: Clint Capela (knee) is out indefinitely and Lou Williams (back) is questionable
— Mavericks: Luka Doncic (calf) is out indefinitely
— Nuggets: Facundo Campazzo is eligible to return from his suspension
Shootaround
— NBA consensus mock draft: How experts project the first round
— Fans are mad at Reggie Miller for what he said about Herbert Jones
— HoopsHype compiled NBA awards ballots to determine expected winners
— Celtics Twitter reacts to Jayson Tatum’s buzzer-beater vs. the Nets
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