Bam Adebayo's UNETHICAL Record SHATTERS Gil's Arena
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Gil believes records are meant to be broken and players should be congratulated for achieving them, regardless of circumstance.
- ❖Swaggy P and Nick argue Bam Adebayo is 'not 83 nice' and the record is tainted by the Wizards' abysmal defense and the blowout nature of the game.
- ❖The 'formula' for high scoring involves maximizing free throw attempts and 3-pointers, which Bam utilized heavily (43 free throw attempts).
- ❖Kobe Bryant's 81-point game is framed as more impressive due to a more competitive game context and higher efficiency.
- ❖Wemby's uninspired reaction to Bam's 83 points is cited as evidence that the performance lacked 'inspirational' value due to its perceived ethical issues.
- ❖The hosts debate the concept of 'sportsmanship' when a player continues to score in a lopsided game to chase a record.
Insights
1Bam's 83-Point Game: A Record, But Not 'Impressive' to All
Bam Adebayo scored 83 points, surpassing Kobe Bryant's 81 for the second-highest individual scoring game in NBA history. While Gil acknowledges the achievement, Swaggy P and Nick argue it was not 'impressive' because Bam is not typically a high-volume scorer, and the game was a blowout against the Washington Wizards, whom they label a 'G-League team' with poor defense.
Swaggy P states, 'He nice, but he not 83 nice. Like come on, man. This is cold. Kobe probably rolling it over in his grave right now.' (-, -). Nick adds, 'It's just the W and Bam then Kobe. It's just that like it's Bam. No, no, no. It looks funny in the about the 81, but it's really just the Bam then Kobe.' (-, -).
2The 'Formula' for High Scoring: Free Throws and 3-Pointers
The panel discusses that achieving extremely high scoring totals often relies on a 'formula' involving a high volume of free throws and three-point attempts. Bam Adebayo's game exemplified this, with an NBA record 43 free throw attempts.
Gil states, 'as a big man, you look at the free throws, right? Everybody's complaining about the free throws. 43.' (-, -). He later adds, 'Free throws because you get points and the clock stops. And the clock stop... So free throws is a big part of it.' (-).
3Kobe's 81 vs. Bam's 83: Context and Efficiency
A significant point of contention is the comparison between Kobe's 81 and Bam's 83, focusing on game context and efficiency. Kobe's game was against a more competitive opponent (Raptors) in a closer game, and he was more efficient from the field. Bam's game involved a lower field goal percentage and a record number of free throws against a team perceived as not trying to stop him.
Nick highlights, 'Kobe Bryant when he had when he had 81, they was averaging 97 points as a lead total. He had 81. Now today, it's 117 points per game per team. Kobe could have potentially... score 120 points.' (-). Josiah points out, 'Bam became the only player to score 70 or more while shooting below 50% from the field.' (-).
4Wemby's Uninspired Reaction Fuels 'Unethical' Narrative
Victor Wembanyama's reaction to Bam's 83 points, where he stated there are 'plenty of inspiration to look up to' in the league, but implicitly excluded Bam's performance, is interpreted by the panel as a dismissal of its inspirational value due to perceived ethical issues in how it was achieved.
Josiah plays a clip of Wemby saying, 'we're playing a league when where there's plenty of inspiration to look up to.' Josiah then interprets, 'I think he was basically saying this is not one of those inspiring moments seeing Bam's 83.' (-).
5The Sportsmanship Debate: Playing Hard vs. Running Up the Score
The panel engages in a heated debate about sportsmanship. Gil argues players should always play hard until the whistle and opponents should defend better. Others contend that continuing to chase a record in a blowout is unsportsmanlike, especially if the opposing team is not seriously defending, and coaches should pull players out.
Gil: 'I don't care about your feelings on how he got he got it. Okay. NOBODY CARED WHEN WHEN DAVID ROBINSON got his DID YOU WATCH THAT game against the Clippers?' (-). Nick: 'If you're whooping the wizard's ass, you take BAM out the game.' (-). Gil: 'We are told to play as hard as we can until the end of the whistle.' (-).
Key Concepts
The Green Light Moment
A concept where a player has a rare, exceptional performance day where everything goes right, allowing them to achieve extraordinary scoring numbers, regardless of their typical average. Gil argues Bam had such a 'green light moment'.
Ethical Scoring vs. Stat Chasing
The tension between a player naturally having a hot hand and continuing to score within the flow of the game versus actively manipulating game situations (e.g., forcing fouls, teammates intentionally setting up shots) to inflate individual statistics, especially in a blowout.
Historical Context Fallacy
The idea that comparing historical records without considering the differing eras, rules, and competitive environments (e.g., pace of play, defensive rules, opponent quality) can lead to misleading conclusions about a player's true 'greatness' or the impressiveness of a record.
Notable Moments
Swaggy P expresses extreme disgust and anger over Bam's 83 points, walking off set briefly.
This highlights the emotional impact of breaking legendary records like Kobe's, especially for fans and former players who hold those figures in high regard. It underscores the 'unethical' sentiment.
The panel discusses how David Robinson's 71-point game to win a scoring title was also 'force-fed' by teammates in the last game of the season, suggesting record-chasing isn't new.
This provides historical context, challenging the idea that Bam's record-chasing is uniquely 'unethical' and suggesting that many records have elements of intentional pursuit.
Lakers fans booing the announcement of Bam's 83 points at the arena.
Demonstrates the strong emotional attachment fans have to specific records and players (Kobe), and their resistance to seeing them surpassed, especially under controversial circumstances.
Quotes
"If you're close enough to break history, go for it by any means necessary."
"He nice, but he not 83 nice. Like come on, man. This is cold. Kobe probably rolling it over in his grave right now."
"It's not impressive because I said it could be done."
"I'm not impressed with this 81 or this 83... just simply because it's a formula for it."
"We play in a league where there's plenty of inspiration to look up to."
"If you don't have no ethics, why should I? Why is there a rule where if you're losing, do what the f*** you want and the team that's winning, we should babysit your sorry asses?"
"If he has 50, you like, 'Damn, it must be his birthday.' But to score 83, I don't care how you get it. It's 83."
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