Bam Adebayo delivered the greatest single-game performance in Miami Heat history by scoring 83 points in a win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. This is especially impressive given the franchise’s three NBA titles in the past 22 years and stars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Adebayo’s 83 points surpassed Kobe Bryant’s 81 for the second most in league history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100. Despite this, hype has been muted, and some have criticized the achievement.
Dwyane Wade Calls Out Miami Reporter After Bam Adebayo Question
Wade remarked that there was no longer any “buzz” in Miami, a comment Adebayo took personally.
“Talking about ain’t no buzz, and he wanted to be out,” Adebayo said. “He’s 45, take your a** to the house. I don’t know if he’s trying to rile us up. But all that said, I feel like it’s a lot of buzz tonight.”
In response, Wade elaborated on his perspective on his WY Network.
“It’s not disrespect, it’s standards,” Wade said. “If the Miami don’t want me to have standards on the players, that’s on them. I will have it. I will always have a standard for the organization, whether I’m allowed in the doors or I’m never allowed in the doors, because I gave so much to the organization. I have a lot less millions in my account for the organization, I have a lot less stats on the board because I gave up what was individual for what was pushed on us as a standard, as a culture and what we about.”
Dwyane Wade says he will have a standard for the Miami Heat if they like it or not and calls out Heat reporter that asked Bam the buzz question😳
“It’s standards. If the Miami don’t want me to have standards on the players that’s on them…I will always have a standard for the… pic.twitter.com/SeOTSeh4mX
— The HEAT Realm (@WadexFlash) March 12, 2026
Wade believes the Heat’s success has raised Miami’s standards and wants the team to uphold “Heat Culture.”
Despite that standard, the Heat have recently participated in the play-in tournament for three straight seasons, which has clearly bothered Wade.
“If we about that, I’m going to hold us to that standard and my standard isn’t play-in,” Wade explained. “That’s not my standard. I understand a year or two. I don’t understand being in there too long. That’s not my standard. That may be somebody’s else’s standard.”
Wade disliked that his comments were brought up to Adebayo so soon after his feat. He called out Miami reporter Anthony Chiang: “Don’t bring that up during someone’s moment.”
“Don’t make someone else’s moment because Bam is going to respond that way. You don’t talk about a f***in something about a former player saying the buzz in the city is not there. You’re looking for something.”
Wade said talk about the “buzz” could wait until later, adding that highs and lows happen. He noted he also spoke to Adebayo during earlier struggles this season.
Wade then adjusted his stance in light of his earlier comments.
“The buzz is back in the city, let’s go!”
The Heat, at 37-29, are sixth in the Eastern Conference and currently clear of the play-in. They are almost tied with the fifth-seeded Orlando Magic (36-28). Miami hosts Orlando Saturday night, but first faces the Milwaukee Bucks at 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday.
