Bam Adebayo definitely kept the receipts on ESPN personality Brian Windhorst.
Earlier this week, Windhorst made a bold and curious prediction ahead of Team USA’s group-stage game against South Sudan at the Paris Olympics.
He suggested that, after nearly losing to South Sudan during exhibition play earlier this month, the U.S. team needed to make a lineup change. Specifically, Windhorst named Miami Heat star Adebayo as a candidate to be benched due to South Sudan’s “athletic wing players.”
That prediction did not age well.
Contrary to Windhorst’s suggestion, Adebayo not only remained in the lineup but also emerged as Team USA’s best player in a dominant victory over South Sudan. Adebayo delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a team-high 18 points, grabbing seven rebounds, blocking two shots, and even hitting two three-pointers in just 20 minutes of action. Team USA cruised to a 103-86 win.
After the game, Adebayo didn’t miss the opportunity to troll Windhorst on social media. He posted a clip of Windhorst’s comments about him on X (formerly Twitter), adding the famous 50 Cent meme, “What he say f–k me for?”
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Windhorst’s initial suggestion to bench Adebayo was puzzling from the start, given Adebayo’s reputation as a versatile defender capable of switching onto perimeter players.
A four-time All-Defensive selection, Adebayo’s switchability and defensive prowess make him an invaluable asset to any lineup, especially one needing to employ a switch-heavy defense. His stellar offensive display against South Sudan only underscored the absurdity of Windhorst’s suggestion.
Windhorst’s broader point likely concerned the depth and talent on Team USA, emphasizing that the team’s wealth of skilled players would inevitably lead to some deserving athletes being benched to match specific game strategies.
Indeed, there were notable benchings in recent games, such as last Sunday’s matchup against Serbia and Joel Embiid’s DNP against South Sudan. However, Adebayo, who has consistently been one of Team USA’s top big men alongside Anthony Davis throughout the summer, clearly demonstrated that he is indispensable to the team’s success.
In the end, Adebayo’s performance silenced any doubts about his place in the lineup and showcased his critical role in Team USA’s quest for Olympic gold.
As the tournament progresses, his contributions on both ends of the court will be pivotal, and it’s safe to say he won’t be seeing the bench anytime soon.
