{"id":502636,"date":"2026-03-04T05:53:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T05:53:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/502636\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T05:53:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T05:53:08","slug":"bam-adebayo-sends-playful-warning-to-udonis-haslem-on-breaking-his-miami-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/502636\/","title":{"rendered":"Bam Adebayo sends playful warning to Udonis Haslem on breaking his Miami records"},"content":{"rendered":"

MIAMI \u2013 As Miami Heat captain Bam Adebayo is chasing Udonis Haslem’s record<\/a> for the most rebounds in the team’s history, Tuesday marked a milestone in that chase. The Heat’s star in Adebayo showcased his defensive prowess<\/a> in the 124-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night, as he sent a message to Haslem about getting close to his record.<\/p>\n

While Haslem still holds the record for most rebounds with 5,791, his defensive rebounds mark of 4,176 has been broken by Adebayo, who now totals 4,180 after grabbing eight of them on Tuesday. Adebayo and Haslem have a close relationship off the court, but also a friendly rivalry due to the star on pace to break the full record sooner rather than later, with the 28-year-old at 235 boards away.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m on the way.<\/a> He knows it, that gap is getting closer and closer,\u201d Adebayo said to ClutchPoints after scoring a game-high 23 points with nine rebounds. \u201cBeing part of this organization, the guys ahead of me, records are meant to be broken, but they want you to earn them. And obviously, I’m earning it every game, and at some point, it’s gonna happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though gunning for the full record, asked Bam Adebayo about breaking Udonis Haslem\u2019s defensive rebounds record:<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m on my way man, he knows it, that gap is getting close and closer\u2026\u201d #HeatNation<\/a><\/p>\n

Full response: pic.twitter.com\/dXdee71zZg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Bam keeps making franchise history \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/Kd2g1FfMPv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Besides breaking records, Heat’s Bam Adebayo also playing elite defense\"MiamiSam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Adebayo is also displaying how he’s one of the league’s best defensive players, as he led the NBA in February in defensive rating (99.7).<\/a> After the rare occurrence of not making the NBA All-Defensive team last season, he believes people could be \u201ctired of seeing consistency.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cBut also the criteria has shifted as I\u2019ve gotten older in this league,\u201d Adebayo said after also tying a career-high six steals and recording a team-high +22 on the floor on Tuesday. \u201cYou got guys making it that aren\u2019t making the playoffs, they\u2019re bottom of the league records\u2026I don’t know if it’s just voter fatigue, but I’m always going to be first-team on defense. That’ll never change, no matter what the voters say. My peers know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bam Adebayo about reminding people he\u2019s one of the NBA\u2019s best defenders, since he wasn\u2019t on an All-Defensive Team last season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think people get tired of seeing consistency\u2026I\u2019m always going to be first-team on defense\u2026my peers know it\u2026\u201d <\/p>\n

Full response: #HeatNation<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/zUpEVCcjo8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

These types of outings from Adebayo are especially needed at this point of the season, with the team trying to get out of eighth seed and play-in tournament purgatory like they’ve been the last three seasons. Adebayo would stress after the win over the Nets that \u201cwe can’t have any more slip-ups.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe’ve had enough in the first half of the season, and you have to hold each other to a higher standard and accountability,\u201d Adebayo said. \u201cAnd that gets uncomfortable sometimes, because you feel like you don’t want to go too far, but in that sense, man, we’ve passed that stage, and we’re trying to do something special, and that’s going to take all of us, and we’re going to have to hold each other accountable in some intense situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bam Adebayo asked about taking care of business tonight: <\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t have any more slip-ups, we\u2019ve had enough in the first half of the season\u2026we\u2019re trying to do something special and that\u2019s going to take all of us\u2026\u201d #HeatNation<\/a><\/p>\n

Full response: pic.twitter.com\/9spUJ021BC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra<\/a> on Bam Adebayo chasing Udonis Haslem’s record<\/p>\n

With the Heat facing teams that could be accused of tanking,<\/a> they handled business on Tuesday night against the now 15-46 Nets, led by an anchoring performance from Adebayo. As long-time teammate Tyler Herro would speak about Adebayo having one of his better defensive seasons<\/a>, another who has watched the big man closely is head coach Erik Spoelstra.<\/p>\n

Tyler Herro speaks after the win over the Nets where he scored 22 on 8\/15 from the field, 1-4 from deep.<\/p>\n

Spoke about getting more comfortable, predicts his three-point shot getting better as he plays, and more below. #HeatNation<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NK0YUd3h37<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Aside from basketball, Spoelstra would talk about the \u201cquality human being\u201d<\/a> that Adebayo is, earning his chance to break Haslem’s record, a former player who has been a flag-bearer for the franchise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know he’s chasing him, so I’m sure he’s going to be talking some smack to him. He wants to get the full rebound record, but it’s a testament to his consistency, and we love to see it,\u201d Spoelstra said. \u201cThat’s what records are there for, you know, to be broken, especially when it’s quality people that are breaking records. And Bam is a quality human being. And you know UD will eventually love it when BAM does eventually pass him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he sets the tone in that first quarter,\u201d Spoelstra continued. \u201cI think he had four steals; he had a couple blocks in the first half, really anchoring our defense. And these are two very good defensive games back to back. Our defense has been good all year, but we needed to really step up to a high level to finish up this regular season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erik Spoelstra speaks on Bam Adebayo\u2019s outing and passing Udonis Haslem for most DEFENSIVE rebounds in Heat history. <\/p>\n

\u201cI know he’s chasing him, so I’m sure he’s going to be talking some smack\u2026but it’s a testament to his consistency\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Full comment; #HeatNation<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/gtkvjlz8Xr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

At any rate, Adebayo and Miami look to keep it going as they once again face Brooklyn on Thursday with the team having a 33-29 record, putting them eighth in the East, though they are a half-game back from the sixth-seed Philadelphia 76ers.<\/p>\n