Bam Adebayo jokes light up Heat presser after Pat Riley’s playful jab

Heat president Pat Riley makes Bam Adebayo the star of a joke

On July 16, Miami Heat president Pat Riley turned Adebayo into the centerpiece of a playful jab during Giannis Antetokounmpo’s introductory press conference. Riley had just listed a string of Heat legends when he paused to add Adebayo to the roll call. “Bam was one of those guys who came in here, too,” Riley said, drawing laughter and applause. The moment came just six days after reports surfaced of a physical altercation between Adebayo and teammate Tyler Herro in Las Vegas.

What happened between Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro?

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on June 22 that the Milwaukee Bucks had agreed to trade Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Heat in exchange for Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, and more draft compensation. Adebayo and Herro were both in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League on July 10 when the altercation occurred at a practice court in a hotel. Sources told Charania the fight started after Adebayo approached Herro about comments the guard made on social media criticizing Adebayo following their seven-year run in Miami.

How the Heat reacted: and what it means for Bam Adebayo

Riley’s joke landed as the latest ripple from the reported tension. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald posted on X that multiple former Heat players had expressed resentment over Adebayo being the “chosen one,” given his max extension and lack of trade rumors. Riley’s quip: “I don’t wanna get knocked out”: underscored Adebayo’s standing as a cornerstone of the franchise since the Heat drafted him 14th overall out of Kentucky in 2017. Herro, also a Kentucky product, followed as the Heat’s 13th overall pick in 2019.

NBA clears Adebayo, Herro moves on

The NBA decided against punishing Adebayo for the altercation, Charania reported earlier on July 16. Herro told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne he’s “just trying to move past all of it.” Herro added on Prime Video the same day that “it’s all love in Miami,” framing the incident as water under the bridge as both players look ahead to fresh starts.