Heat's Bam Adebayo Misses All-Defensive Teams First Time in Six Years

For the first time this decade, Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo was not selected to either the NBA All-Defensive First or Second Team, ending a streak that included multiple appearances and a First Team selection last season. Despite his defensive versatility and historically strong impact—ranked in the 90th percentile or higher in Defensive Estimated Plus Minus and finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season—Adebayo received just one First Team and sixteen Second Team votes this year. The All-Defensive teams were led by players such as Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, Draymond Green, and Jaren Jackson Jr., with Rudy Gobert making the Second Team over Adebayo. Miami’s defense overall ranked ninth in defensive rating, but struggled notably in the playoffs, conceding the worst offensive rating in the first round. Adebayo’s drop in recognition reflects both a highly competitive field and Miami’s challenges after trading Jimmy Butler midseason, despite Adebayo continuing to anchor the team defensively. His absence from the All-Defensive teams marks a significant moment in his career and for the Heat franchise, where he remains the only player to earn All-Defensive honors in five different seasons.