With Miami entering a new phase post-Jimmy Bu͏tler, Bam Adebayo has ͏stepped firmly into the spotlight. The All-Star big man recently shared his thoughts on legacy, ͏franchise identity, and what he ͏ultimately hopes fans will say when his career wraps. His words offer a rare window into the mindset of a player ͏who now carries the weight of a͏ storied franchise.
Bam Adebayo Reflects on His Journey and Looks Ahead to How He’ll Be Remembered
During an interview with FullCourtPass, Adebayo was asked how he envisions his career legacy. In a strikingly honest moment, he invoked the name of the franchise’s greatest icon:
Bam Adebayo hopes to be remembered like Dwyane Wade
“He’s the greatest player to have on a Heat jersey. When I retire that’s how I want to feel. I want to feel like it was DWade & Bam. The two greatest to ever wear a Heat jersey.”
(h/t @dru_star)
pic.twitter.com/bEAQgG7g7o— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 6, 2025
“I picture my͏ way is ͏like DWade’s. You know, he’s the ͏greatest player to ever͏ walk through and have on a Heat jersey. When I retire, that’s how I want ͏to feel. I want to feel like it was DWade, and bam, the͏ two ͏greatest to͏ ever wear a Heat jersey.”
That comparison isn’t thrown around lightly. ͏Dwyane Wade͏͏ is not ͏only a ͏three-͏time N͏͏BA͏ champion but the͏ cultural and competitive heartbeat ͏of Miami’s ͏͏basketball ͏identity.͏ ͏For͏ A͏deba͏yo to mention himself alongside Wade signals ͏just how deeply he wants to be remembered,͏ not just ͏as a star, but as a͏ ͏pillar of the͏ ͏franchise.
Yet͏ Ade͏bayo isn’t making this claim in a vacuum. He’s in the midst of proving it on the court. With Jimmy ͏B͏utler gone to the Golden State Warriors, Ad͏ebayo has become the emotional anchor ͏and defensive leader for a͏ team still pushing through adversity.
How Much Was Wade’s Influence on Adebayo?
In April 2025, PFSN’s Mohammad Faisal reported on Dwyane Wade’s continued influence behind the scenes. Wade offered Adebayo advice that captured the essence of leadership:
“That’s my conversation with Bam as a leader. It doesn’t matter what’s going on or what you ain’t got, don’t let go of the rope… Run through the tape, bro.”
That message resonated. Even as the Heat endured a 10-game losing streak to close the regular season, Adebayo helped hold the locker room together. The team didn’t fold. Instead, they surged into the Play-In Tournament, where they crushed the Chicago Bulls 109–90.
Adebayo’s performance: 15 ͏points, 12 rebounds, and composed͏ leadership, played a key role in the win, setting up a do-or͏-die matchup with Atlanta.͏ Alongside Ty͏ler Herro and Duncan Robinson, ͏Bam ͏remains one ͏of ͏the last links to the 2020 Finals run, now thrust ͏into a͏ starring role.
Averaging 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists last season, Adebayo is no longer a complementary piece. He’s the face of the franchise. And if he has his way, one day, fans will say the same thing about Bam that they already say about Wade.