Erik Spoelstra
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Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra clarified his comments about Kel'el Ware to the media.
Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra made waves after making comments about Heat center Kel’el Ware, questioning his effort.
Following the Heat’s 119-114 loss to the Boston Celtics on January 15, Spoelstra was blunt to the media about why Ware wasn’t seeing a significant role in the rotation. After taking time to reflect, Spoelstra has come out and apologized to Ware for his comments.
“I didn’t articulate that in a great way and that wasn’t fair to Kel’el,” Spoelstra said. “I’m fully invested and invigorated about the opportunity to develop Kel’el and our staff feels the same way. We’re going to give him everything we have to make sure he becomes the player that he wants to become and we need him to become.”
“I think he’s markedly improved not only his approach but his work ethic, professionalism and his game,” he continued. “I do have to figure out some things and it might not happen immediately. There are some rotations that have to produce a little better. Some of the impact and the on and off numbers have to be a little bit better.”
This season, Ware’s role in the Heat’s rotation has been inconsistent. He’s started in 27 of the Heat’s 41 games and is playing 24 minutes per game.
However, Ware hasn’t reached 24 minutes in his past four games, as Spoelstra has consistently targeted his ability to “impact winning.”
Against the Celtics, Ware played a season-low nine minutes. He finished with just 3 points and 5 rebounds. Even with guard Davion Mitchell and forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. out of the rotation, Ware didn’t see significant playing time.
Miami Heat Legends React to Erik Spoelstra’s Comments About Kel’el Ware
Dwyane Wade
GettyMiami Heat legends Dwyane Wade and Udonis offered their thoughts on Erik Spoelstra’s comments.
Following Erik Spoelstra’s comments about Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat legends Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem offered their support, reminding Ware to stay grounded.
“I’ve sat down with Spoelstra and felt the same way,” Wade said. And I’m a guy who could shoot anytime he wanted and a star. You’re gonna go through the mental challenges if you have a Miami Heat jersey on. This is a part of the cloth of Miami. They’ll challenge you physically, but also mentally.”
Haslem offered a similar sentiment to Wade.
“What I’ll say to Kel’el and any young basketball player is there’s going to be so many things that are out of your control,” Haslem said. “I get that’s frustrating, but if you step on the court and you’re playing in a situation where you’re frustrated, not playing with joy, not playing with effort and energy, then you allow everything those coaches say to be right.”
Spoelstra coached both Wade and Haslem for a combined 25 years. They understand how the longest tenured coach in U.S. major professional sports operates his team.
How Can Kel’el Ware get Back in the Miami Heat’s Rotation?
Kel'el Ware
GettyHow can Kel’el Ware work his way back into the Miami Heat’s rotation?
For Erik Spoelstra to consistently play Kel’el Ware, Ware needs to improve his ability to impact winning plays. He has emphasized throughout Ware’s career the importance of stacking good days in practice and playing impactful basketball.
Ware has had multiple games this season in which he’s been statistically dominant. In a three-game stretch from December 18-21, he finished with three 20-point double-doubles.
Ware has been able to consistently score and rebound throughout the season; however, advanced statistics suggest that he isn’t doing enough to impact winning.
His plus/minus is the lowest on the team by a large margin at -89. Even in Heat wins, such as a 127-212 win over the Phoenix Suns on January 13, Ware finished the game as a -3.
This isn’t the first time that Spoelstra has called out Ware in his career, but he’s been able to rebound and find a way into the rotation before.
Young, raw players having growing pains is nothing new. Ware just needs to get back into the rhythm he was in earlier this season.