Erik Spoelstra confronts Kel'el Ware's struggles, drawing on the wisdom of Miami Heat legends to address consistency and preparation.
The Miami Heat's loss against the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, with a final score of 119-114, was decided by the little things that impact winning. Despite an efficient offensive performance, the rebounding issues continue to linger. On Thursday, the Celtics outrebounded the Heat 51-40, but 18 came from the offensive side, which resulted in 31 second-chance points.
Another interesting aspect of the game was Kel'el Ware's benching, not playing a second in the second-half. He finished with three points and five rebounds in nine first-half minutes.
Erik Spoelstra described it as a "tough matchup" for the second-year center, but also demanding better preparation.
"He's [Ware] stacking days in the wrong direction now," he told the media postgame on Thursday. "He's got to get back to those stack days, build those habits, make sure you're ready, and play the minutes that you're playing to a point where it makes me want to play you more."
Ware has been under a short leash since the preseason, with his minutes and roles being uncertain on a given night.
"With some young players, [they] subconsciously play poorly to say, 'Hey, I'll play poorly until you play me the minutes I think I deserve, then I'll play well,'" Spoelstra added. "That's not how it works."
It's a unique situation between Spoelstra and Ware. Nikola Jovic has experienced similar growing pains, but not to this extent. From Nov 10th to 29th., Ware had a marvelous stretch of games, averaging 15 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.1 steals while shooting 57.1 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point range in 10 games, seven of which he started.
Afterwards, there was a small decline in production. Then, from Dec. 18th to 29th, Ware averaged 19.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and one block while shooting 64.6 percent from the field, 59.4 percent from three-point range in seven games, all of which he started. Now, it's back at square one with this cycle.
There's no denying the 21-year-old's talents, but it's a matter of consistency.
The topic was discussed on "NBA on Prime Video," which included Heat icons Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem. Both can understand the frustration, but not the notion of playing poorly for self-interest.
"There's going to be so many things that are out of your control," Haslem said. "I understand that's frustrating, but if you step out on a basketball court, you're playing in a situation where you're frustrated, not enjoying the game, playing your minutes hard, then you allow everything that those coaches or whoever said to be right."
The 45-year-old understands what it takes to overcome adversity, including uncontrollable situations, having gone undrafted, but playing 20-years in the league and with one franchise, the third player to ever do so.
Wade believes it's simply a "misunderstanding" between Spoelstra and Ware.
"I'm sure he's frustrated," he said. "I'm sure he has a lot of thoughts on what he [Ware] should be doing and why he's not doing that. I don't think, subconsiously, this kid is trying go out there and sabotage his own minutes and his own career."
It's a difficult situation for Ware, who's shown his full capabilities in stretches. However, Spoelstra is regarded as one of the best coaches, if not the best head coach in the league. The Heat host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, after losing against them on Sunday, Jan. 11th, before facing a four-game Western Conference road trip.
There's no indication that the organization is looking to trade Ware ahead of the deadline, but in a league of player empowerment, this situation could blow up.
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