Kel’el Ware explains how he responded to Erik Spoelstra’s concerns about ‘professionalism’ and ‘consistency’

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Kel’el Ware explains how he responded to Erik Spoelstra’s concerns about ‘professionalism’ and ‘consistency’

Kel’el Ware is immensely talented and seems to be a core player for the Miami Heat moving forward, although he and head coach Erik Spoelstra are already butting heads.

The Miami Heat, perhaps more than any other team in the NBA, have a defined culture.

The Heat expect their players to be hard-nosed, business-first, and disciplined above all else. It’s why players like Jimmy Butler thrived in their system, which was built and enforced by Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra.

Sophomore center Kel’el Ware, one of the better young players in the league, is immensely talented on both ends of the floor, but his Summer League play has drawn the ire of Spoelstra, who called him out for a lack of “professionalism” and “consistency.”

Ware was quick to answer, and it seems like the Heat are back on track.

Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

In Miami, all eyes were on rookie Kasparas Jakučionis, whom they picked with the 20th pick in the NBA Draft. It’s taken him some time to find his footing, but he seems willing to work and fit in with Miami’s culture.

Kel’el Ware, in his second Summer League stint, scored just ten ineffective points and did not impact much on defense in their 105-98 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Ware looked disengaged, prompting the ire of Spoelstra.

“What’s discouraging about this is if you’re a second-year player who was near the top of your rookie class in your rookie year, you need to come out and show that you do not belong in Summer League anymore,” pointed out Es Baraheni.

“You need to dominate, and there’s no point in you playing your second game or your third game.”

Spoelstra being harsh on such a young player, especially when most of his lectures happen behind closed doors, immediately prompted speculation about trades and Ware’s role in the upcoming season, especially after Miami added more talent this summer.

“Is Kel’el Ware in the rotation when we get to training camp and preseason?” asked Dave DuFour.

“They’re probably going to have to do it because of just talent. He’s a talent, but I don’t think there’s a guarantee that he’s going to start.”

However, Ware seemed to take the criticisms on the chin and bounced back with a dominant showing in his second Summer League game this year.

While Spoelstra ripping into a young player is rare to see, Ware understood where it was coming from.

“It all comes down to, like Spo said, just putting in the effort and going out there and playing,” Ware reflected.

“So this is what I wanted to show that I can do.”

After his dismal game against the Hawks, Ware bounced back with 21 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in a 20-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was one of the most impactful players on the court, and the tough love seems to have lit a fire under him.

“I just took it as motivation,” Ware said after the game. “He’s the coach, and he has that trust in me, and he wants to see me be the best that I can be. So I took it as motivation.”

Heading into the season, expect Ware to be on a tight leash, but for his role in the rotation to continue to expand.

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