Bam Adebayo recently discussed the Defensive Player of the Year award (DPOY) and his feelings about not having received the accolade so far in his career. Members of the basketball community will recognize Adebayo as a star center currently playing for the Miami Heat.
Alongside former Heat star Jimmy Butler, Adebayo led his team to the NBA Finals twice over the past half-decade. Unfortunately, the Heat lost both times to the Lakers and Nuggets, respectively.
While the Heat may not have found great success as a team, there is no denying that Adebayo is one of the top centers in the league and an elite defender.
What Has Bam Adebayo Said About Not Winning the DPOY Award?
Adebayo entered the league as the 14th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and was quick to establish himself as a defense-oriented star. Listed at 6’9″ and weighing 255 pounds, Adebayo is physically gifted and athletic enough to stop the best centers and forwards in the league.
Be that as it may, the Heat star is yet to win a DPOY award, which can be seen as surprising given that his contemporary, Rudy Gobert, has won the award four times in recent history.
Some critics may claim that Adebayo was never seriously considered for the accolade due to his own limitations. However, the center claimed that internal league politics also played a role in reducing his chances of winning the DPOY award.
“I can’t worry about that cause it’s political. … I don’t wanna beg my way to it. If I get it, I get it. Cool.”
“I can’t worry about that cause it’s political… I don’t wanna beg my way to it. If I get I get cool.”
Bam Adebayo talks about his goal of winning Defensive Player of the Year 👀
(via @NBAonPrime)pic.twitter.com/Q7jxiDHQOr
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 1, 2025
Although Adebayo didn’t get into specifics regarding the politics that have prevented him from winning the award, he hinted that his unwillingness to self-promote is the leading cause for the alleged negative opinion restricting his chances.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Evan Mobley, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Gobert are the other forwards and centers who have won the DPOY award since Adebayo entered the league. While Adebayo has had his moments in the limelight and showcased his elite skills, even his fan base would struggle to claim that he is a better defender than the players who have won.
In any case, most stars tend to focus on accomplishments such as winning a championship — especially if they have yet to do so — over winning a DPOY award or making an All-Star team. Adebayo has made it to the Finals twice and should do his best to ensure that a third trip results in a title.
If the Heat are able to win a title while being led by Adebayo and Tyler Herro, the center being snubbed for the DPOY award over the years will be a distant afterthought.
