In the aftermath of the Bam Adebayo game, I’ve seen some crazy takes flying around on all sides. Some folks are saying Bam should be criticized for his “unethical” game, and others are raising him up into discussions of the top 20 centers of all time. But I raise the question, who cares? As interesting and as funny as this game was, I don’t believe it should really affect Bam’s legacy, and it did not move my opinion of Adebayo, his talent, or his career in the slightest.

The 83-point game was more a reflection of stars aligning than it was a reflection of Bam’s talent. The most impressive part of it was the 31-point first quarter, which is not possible for every NBA player. But, when a player’s three best teammates are injured, it is not impossible for most reasonably star-level players throughout the league. After the first quarter, Adebayo had a supportive coach and team to get him the record, and while 52 points in 3 quarters is certainly an accomplishment, it becomes much easier when your team is doing everything possible to feed you the ball. So, while this is still an impossible task for most NBA players, all it does is prove what we already new about Bam Adebayo: he is a top-50-ish NBA player this season.

However, I cannot insult Adebayo for the game, either. Was he foul-baiting? Sure. Was he in the game after the outcome was decided? Sure. But who cares? Bam Adebayo saw a chance to make himself a legacy, to make sure his name wouldn’t be forgotten when he retires, and he took it. I can’t blame him for that. Every man wants a legacy, and most would make the same decision Bam did. Him staying in the game didn’t harm anyone, and he’s not the first player to ever foul-bait. And half of this criticism wouldn’t even be thrown out there had he left the game at 79 points. Sure, Kobe’s game was more “ethical” than Bam’s, but all that means is that Kobe’s record was bound to be broken by an “unethical” game because that “ethical-ness” probably held Kobe back anyway.

But for Kobe fans, I must say, Bam dropping 83 does not lower Kobe’s legacy because Kobe’s legacy was not built on the 81-point game. It was built on a career, of clutchness, the Mamba mentality, and five NBA championships. No player should be raised up or pushed down for an individual game, and Kobe being the third-highest single-game scorer in NBA history instead of the second-highest does not impact his legacy at all. Adebayo’s name will be remembered, sure, but this single game does not change his all-time ranking either. Some of you are probably reading this article and checking my username and asking, “Aren’t you the Wilt guy? Isn’t it a bit hypocritical to say single games don’t impact a player’s legacy when you call Mr. 100 Points the GOAT?” And yes, this would be hypocritical, if my logic behind Chamberlain’s GOAT status was based even remotely on the hundred-point game. But it isn’t, and if you believe his GOAT case is the hundred-point game, I will refer you to the Wilt Article that is my pinned post. Like Kobe, and like Bam, Wilt’s all-time ranking is not impacted by his one best game.

So where do I rank Bam all-time? I rank him exactly where I ranked him before, a bit below a DeAndre Jordan, and in the same tier with fellow 3-time All-Stars Khris Middleton and Pascal Siakam. Far from a top-100 player, but still a very respectable player nonetheless. Bam’s 83 does not change his all time ranking, for better or worse. It was fun, but it does not matter.