Kel'el Ware
Getty
Kel'el Ware of the Miami Heat.
With Bam Adebayo dealing with foul trouble, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra had full confidence in Kel’el Ware. The second-year big man stuffed the stat sheet in the Heat’s win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.
The Heat were trying to keep their momentum going and keep up with the red-hot Charlotte Hornets in the standings. Luckily, they were up against a Nets team that entered the game on a nine-game losing streak.
However, Adebayo was in foul trouble the entire game and was limited to just 25 minutes. He still put up 21 points, four rebounds and seven assists, but the Heat needed someone from the bench to step up.
Ware was that man, and despite having an up-and-down season, he exploded with 16 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and seven blocks. He was huge on the defensive end, holding down the fort while Adebayo was on the bench.
The Heat delivered the Nets’ 10th consecutive loss, earning a 126-110 win.
Spoelstra Sounds Off on Ware’s Night
Heat fans have been questioning Spoelstra’s handling of Ware’s minutes this season. There are times the young center would look like an All-Star, but then he’d have limited minutes off the bench.
Spoelstra even went viral for the way he criticized Ware last month before backtracking and apologizing to his player. But after the big man’s huge night against the Nets, the two-time NBA champion coach had nothing but praise.
“He was jumping, getting off the ground, and the head coach didn’t have to tell him,” Spoelstra said. “His teammates are encouraging him to be more aggressive guarding the basket. He’s getting more alert on situations. His first few rim protections were in our man defense. He was super active tonight.”
The coach has been experimenting with Adebayo and Ware all season, putting them together in certain situations, albeit limited. It seemed like it was working well early on before their struggles in December.
Adebayo has been very supportive of Ware amid his inconsistent playing time this season. He went through the same process early in his career under coach Spoelstra, so he’s the right mentor for the 21-year-old center.
Ware Comments on His Performance
GettyKel’el Ware #7 of the Miami Heat
Speaking to reporters after the game, Ware was thrilled about his performance. He knew that he had to step up after Adebayo got in foul trouble. He had to have a huge game since he was the one in foul trouble on Wednesday night.
“I feel like it was more of a vice-versa moment,” Ware said via Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel. “Like last game when I was in foul trouble, he had to play most of the minutes. I feel like it’s just knowing you got to step up and provide that role of being the center out there.”
In 59 games this season, Ware is averaging 11.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on 53.3% shooting from the field, including 40.2% from beyond the arc.
As a starter, Ware is a little bit better, putting up 13.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 29 games. It’s a small sample size, but the Heat are 17-12 in the 29 games Ware has started.