Adebayo responds to criticism over 83 points: Blame the Wizards coach, I believe Kobe would congratulate me too.

On March 14 Beijing time, Adebayo appeared on the Dan Patrick Show, discussing his 83-point game, revealing more behind-the-scenes stories, and addressing the criticism he received over the past few days. The following is a transcript of the interview—

Question: After that 83-point game, which part of your body hurt the most?

Adebayo: Definitely my arms, my shoulders were sore from constant shooting. I had to ice my shoulders like a pitcher after seven innings. I also took an ice bath later.

Question: Did you feel anything different before the game? Compared to any other game you've played.

Adebayo: I only knew we had to win. For the past three or four years, we've been in this playoff seeding tug-of-war. In that game, most of our starters were unavailable: Wiggins, Powell, Herro, Martin... basically only two starters, the rest were all substitutes.

We knew exactly how tough such games are—we are the Heat, we can beat the top teams in the East and West, but also lose to the bottom teams. So this game was dangerous, we had to win it.

Question: Why does it feel like people want you to apologize for scoring 83 points?

Adebayo: Probably because I wasn't in their script. It shocked the world because I'm not someone hyped as a "natural scorer" or "record-breaker." I think that's what stunned everyone.

Then they also talk about how many free throws I took. But once you realize the opponent is intentionally fouling, that becomes an offensive strategy. You think: They're fouling, so I'll make the most of it.

Actually, it wasn't just them fouling; more importantly, I was playing aggressively, I just wanted to score, I was determined to do it. So they kept fouling. I said, there were no other starters on the court at that time, just me.

Question: What were you thinking when you reached 81 points?

Adebayo: I had to make these next two free throws. If I missed them, I would hate myself.

Question: Didn't think about Kobe at all? He's one of your idols. Didn't you consider stopping at 81?

Adebayo: No. Because I knew, if it were him, Kobe would definitely say: Get as many as you can, keep pushing.

Being compared to my idol is incredibly special for me. I'm truly grateful because that's my idol, someone I watched growing up, I understand everything he represents. That man would tell you himself: I'm chasing Jordan, any record he could get, I'm going to break it. Clearly, I got this opportunity.

Question: I think because people love Kobe so much, some are upset: Why are you touching our Kobe's record? But think about it, he's your idol. You're right, Kobe would never say, "Hey, you hit 81, stop." He'd say, "Keep going, push for 90 if you can." That's his mentality.

Adebayo: Exactly. If the deceased could speak, I firmly believe he would say: Congratulations, young man. You achieved something I thought no one would touch for another forty or fifty years.

Question: Do you remember the first time you met Kobe?

Adebayo: I never met him. That's why this is especially meaningful to me—I never had the chance to meet him.

The only time I thought I might meet him was my first All-Star selection. I thought: If I make the All-Star team this year, maybe I'll meet Kobe.

Then the tragedy happened. I remember where I was, I just sat there and cried. From a player's perspective, we all appreciate what he did for the sport, the impact he had on everyone's mentality. The "Mamba Mentality" he created is about: Always keep pushing. I was truly heartbroken because I really wanted to meet my idol in my lifetime.

Question: You only scored 21 points last night, what happened?

Adebayo: I wanted to replicate that performance too, but that state is hard to sustain. And nobody talks about your next game after breaking a record. Funny thing is, I looked back later, after Kobe scored 81, his next game was still strong, not 81, but he scored over 30.

Question: Your mom was there at the game, how important was that to you?

Adebayo: Having my mom, my family there, achieving this in front of home fans, this moment we'll never forget. She is my pride and everything, many things I do for her. Letting her see her son written into history, I know how happy she is, this will be her lifelong story.

Question: What areas on the basketball court is your girlfriend Wilson better than you?

Adebayo: Every area. She really excels at everything. Her being there was also special because she was playing a game during my 10,000-point milestone and couldn't attend. So her sitting on the sidelines this time was special for us. Her career high is 53 points, which is also impressive.

Question: Some accuse you of stat-padding, how do you respond?

Adebayo: Blame their coach. When I scored 30 points in the first quarter, they didn't double-team me.

Question: When you had over 60 points by the third quarter, nobody complained about how I played or how the opponent played. Then in the final minutes, suddenly it's "embarrassing," "ruined the game." Why didn't anyone say anything when you had 64 points in the first three quarters? People need to watch the entire game, not just the last few minutes.

Adebayo: And later their coach started intentionally fouling my teammates to prevent me from getting free throws. It wasn't just the Heat wanting something, but they fouled my teammates whenever they got the ball to stop me from breaking the record.

In my view, that's unethical basketball, whatever you say. Everything I did on the court is special for me and for everyone who knows how hard I work behind the scenes. 64 points in three quarters, that's insane.

People also forget, in the fourth quarter the gap was once narrowed to just 11 points, not a 30-point lead throughout for casual play. I had to stay on the court. We've tried leading by 20 in the fourth quarter and getting overturned before, what do you want us to do?

Question: Would Herro be upset? He seems like the type who could score 83 points.

Adebayo: Honestly, all my teammates were happy for me. Because even if we talk about all the great Heat players, this kind of performance is something nobody has seen, completely beyond expectations.

That's why many were shocked, because I'm not the so-called "chosen one," not someone everyone assumed would break records.

Question: Will that jersey go to the Hall of Fame?

Adebayo: Not yet, but it's on the way.

Question: You're playing the Wizards again on April 4 (local time).

Adebayo: When I get the ball then, probably three guys will double-team me immediately. That's likely to happen.

Question: If you score 50 points against the Wizards next time, people might think it's ordinary.

Adebayo: Maybe if I score 50, they'll still call me trash.

Question: Be proud, you absolutely deserve to be proud. This was an incredible performance. You're right, Kobe would probably say, "Go, brother, don't stop at 83."

Adebayo: Appreciate you saying that.