Gabe Vincent reveals a curious Bam Adebayo habit
Gabe Vincent shares a funny behind-the-scenes story about life off the court with his friend and former Miami Heat teammate Bam Adebayo
Undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft and making his way into Adam Silver’s league through the back door of the G League, Gabe Vincent undoubtedly experienced the best stretch of his career with the Miami Heat, from 2020 to 2023.
Three playoff appearances, a progressively bigger role that eventually saw him start in the NBA Finals, and his emergence as a reliable NBA role player. His experience with the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t allow him to have the same impact – perhaps not entirely through his own fault – and his new chapter with the Atlanta Hawks, which began in February, now represents a genuine opportunity for a fresh start.
In Florida, one of Vincent’s closest friendships was the one he developed with Bam Adebayo. Aside from their first season, which was heavily affected by COVID-related restrictions, the two regularly spent time together whenever they had some free time.
During a conversation with YouTuber Trey Mourning, Vincent shared a funny story about what had almost become a routine whenever they went out together.
Bam and I would go to the movies in Miami. Just watching the movie wasn’t enough for Bam, so he would always end up suggesting that we rent out the entire theater. It’s cool to do, but when you go to the movies, do you really want to spend $1,500?
Gabe Vincent
The story is both amusing and revealing of the NBA lifestyle and the enormous financial differences that can exist even inside the same locker room. During the 2021-22 season, Vincent was making roughly $1.7 million, while Adebayo’s salary exceeded $28 million.
That gap makes Vincent’s hesitation over the idea of spending $1,500 on a night at the movies much easier to understand.
The 2023 free agency period would later allow the Nigerian-born guard to cash in on the growth he experienced under Erik Spoelstra, signing a three-year deal worth around $11 million per season. Even years later, though, the memory of those nights – and Adebayo’s decidedly extravagant spending habits – still makes Vincent laugh.
This upcoming season, however, Adebayo may have a few more reasons to keep the fun to a minimum and focus all his energy on the court. Pat Riley has sacrificed part of the franchise’s future in an attempt to immediately pursue the NBA title, entrusting Giannis Antetokounmpo with the task of leading Miami to the ultimate prize.