The $16 million promotional campaign began minutes after the Miami Heat clinched a playoff berth with a victory over the Boston Celtics.
Former Heat teammate Dwyane Wade tried to turn the attention to Bam Adebayo’s coif. The fourth-year Heat center had other ideas.
“Hey, man,” Adebayo said of his new look, “it’s getting me Defensive Player of the Year. So, yeah, let’s talk about that.”
Adebayo wasn’t done, especially when prodded by Wade about why he thought he should win the award.
“I do everything on defense,” Adebayo said. “And I’m gonna walk out on that one.”
Headset off.
And off to the locker room.
Yes, it all was in good fun.
But it also was a cash conversation.
As part of five-year, $163 million maximum rookie-scale extension that Adebayo signed in November, one that kicks in next season, the upcoming NBA awards season could up that total.
Get named NBA Most Valuable Player and the overall value rises to $195.6 million.
Named first-team All-NBA and the deal rises to $186 million.
And if named Defensive Player of the Year, it’s a raise to $179 million.
MVP almost assuredly is going to Nikola Jokic.
First-team All-NBA, from a power-rotation perspective, would appear to be the province of Jokic and Joel Embiid. And while Adebayo can be voted in as a forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo has things covered there.
As for Defensive Player of the Year? The campaign would appear to very much be an uphill fight against Rudy Gobert.
The campaigning ends Monday, the day after the close of the regular season, when the media ballots are due.
And it likely will be the only first-person Heat campaign, with Jimmy Butler not eligible for awards bonuses because he already is at the top of the maximum-salary scale. Butler, though, does have bonuses from his sneaker endorsement.
As for the awards, the perspective from here (each with ballot order):
— Most Valuable Player: 1. Nikola Jokic, 2. Joel Embiid, 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, 4. Stephen Curry, 5. Luka Doncic.
Thought: A tougher call than some are portraying, considering how Embiid impacts on both ends.
— Coach of the Year: 1. Tom Thibodeau, 2. Monty Williams, 3. Nate McMillan.
Thought: Thibodeau finally made Knicks relevant. Tougher call on McMillan, in light of mid-season start.
— Rookie of the Year: 1. LaMelo Ball, 2. Anthony Edwards, 3. Tyrese Halliburton.
Thought: In this case, going with the more complete player, instead of the more complete scorer.
— Sixth Man Award: 1. Jordan Clarkson, 2, Joe Ingles, 3. Tim Hardaway Jr.
Thought: Certainly could flip-flop Clarkson and Ingles, sort of like Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams with Clippers last season.
— Most Improved Player: 1. Julius Randle, 2. Michael Porter Jr., 3. Zach LaVine.
Thought: Seriously, who envisioned Randle as a leading man?
— Defensive Player of the Year: 1. Rudy Gobert, 2. Bam Adebayo, 3. Ben Simmons.
Thought: Adebayo has Jimmy Butler; Simmons has Joel Embiid. Gobert is the Jazz defense.
— All-NBA
(The league has allowed for choices for some players at center/forward or guard/forward)
First team
C: Nikola Jokic. F: Joel Embiid. F: Giannis Antetokounmpo. G: Stephen Curry. G: Luke Doncic.
Second team
C: Rudy Gobert. F: Jimmy Butler. F: Kawhi Leonard. G: Chris Paul. G: Damian Lillard.
Third team
C: Bam Adebayo. F: LeBron James. F: Julius Randle. G: Jayson Tatum. G: Russell Westbrook.
Thought: Embiid not a forward, but NBA says he can be in the balloting, just as the league allows Tatum to be listed as a guard. Tough, tough omissions with Zion Williamson, Bradley Beal, James Harden and Paul George.
— All-Defensive
First team
C: Rudy Gobert. F: Jimmy Butler. F: Draymond Green. G: Ben Simmons. G: Jrue Holiday.
Second team
C: Joel Embiid. F: Bam Adebayo. F: Kawhi Leonard. G: Matisse Thybulle. G: Luguentz Dort.
Thought: For all Adebayo offers, Butler sets the defensive temperature for the Heat.
— All-Rookie
First team
LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Jae’Sean Tate, Saddiq Bey.
Second team:
Desmond Bane, Isaac Okoro, Immanuel Quickley, Isaiah Stewart, Facundo Campazzo.
Thought: The Heat’s Precious Achiuwa arguably was first team at one point. Then came the second half of the season.
