2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is Bam Adebayo?

The Good

Bam Adebayo has all the tools to be a successful big man in today’s NBA.

On the defensive end, his athleticism and quickness allow him to pick up guards in transition and switch onto smaller players in pick-and-roll situations. He has good feet, which help him to stay in front of his opponent when focused.

Adebayo has the aggressiveness to hard hedge on the perimeter and the athleticism to recover. With his long wingspan and quickness, Adebayo can be a great help defender off the ball.

To go along with his athleticism, Adebayo has great hands. His ability to catch the ball in traffic and go up strong will be valuable. This also makes him a great target for lobs in traffic, which are becoming a more frequent way for bigs to finish in the paint.

Because of his solid frame, Adebayo sets great screens on the perimeter to free up ball handlers before rolling to the basket. Adebayo is his most effective on the offensive end when used as a rim runner. In pick-and-roll situations and in transition, Adebayo has a knack for finding open space to receive a pass. His explosiveness and soft hands allow him to catch and finish at the rim.

That same explosiveness along with a high motor makes Adebayo a great offensive rebounder. Comparable to Tristan Thompson, Adebayo works hard for position and has a nose for the ball. His ability to gather offensive rebounds may be his biggest asset.

Adebayo can be an excellent player in the NBA if he lands on a team that understands his strengths and uses him properly.