Bam Adebayo Claps Back at Critics Calling Heat 'Play-In Team' Ahead of 2026-27 NBA Season

The Miami Heat made the play-in tournament in each of the last four seasons, but Bam Adebayo is pushing back against the notion they will be back in 2026-27.

"It's just a different energy around us now," he said during an interview with The Makeshift Podcast (21-minute mark). "We've done the underdog story so much and 'overachieved.' … People are still doubting this team for whatever reason. Somebody said we'll be a play-in team. I was like, 'wow that's crazy.' We just got one of the best shooters ever and one of the top-three players in our league. But we're a play in team?"

Miami will certainly look different this season with the addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson.

Antetokounmpo's presence alone drastically elevates the ceiling, as the future Hall of Famer is one of the best players in the league with a resume that includes a championship, an NBA Finals MVP, two league MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year and nine All-NBA selections.

He and Adebayo represent one of the best one-two punches in the league, especially for frontcourt players. And opposing defenses will not be able to focus too much attention on one without leaving the other in favorable matchups.

Their presence should also lead to more open looks from the outside for Thompson, who, like Adebayo said, is one of the best shooters in NBA history.

However, it may not be realistic to expect him to shoot at the same level he did during his peak with the Golden State Warriors. Thompson will turn 37 years old this season and shot a career-worst 38.3 percent from deep last season with the Dallas Mavericks.

Yet the open looks that come from Antetokounmpo and Adebayo should help him improve that total and perhaps help the Heat finish in the top six of the Eastern Conference to avoid another play-in tournament appearance.