Miami Heat star center Bam Adebayo is having a breakout season. The third-year player deserves consideration for the NBA Most Improved Player Award.

This is Adebayo’s first full season as a starter and as of March 11 he is averaging career-highs with 16.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals in 34.4 minutes over 64 games.

Bam Adebayo (plus-2.0 Defensive Box Plus/Minus) has been effective on defense, even against reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat beat the Bucks 105-89 on March 2 and Adebayo played well at both ends of the court.

He finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocks and he also held Giannis to just 13 points on 6 of 18 shooting and 0 of 4 from 3-point range. The Bucks could face the Heat in the playoffs and it would be a very intriguing matchup. Adebayo wants to work out with Giannis in the offseason.

According to The Athletic, The Greek Freak invited Adebayo to work out last summer but both players had busy schedules and were not able to connect. Adebayo recognized that he respects Giannis:

“It just shows the respect level we have for one another. That’s a big thing about this league. When you get respect from somebody, you can work out with them. Nothing is wrong with it, not going to blow it out of proportion. I’m pretty sure in the near future we will work out together. I’ll learn some tips from him, he’ll learn some tips from me. That’s how this NBA goes.”