After the Miami Heat’s 119-114 loss to the Boston Celtics earlier this week, head coach Erik Spoelstra found himself entangled in some controversy.
When asked about why second-year center Kel’el Ware was limited to just nine minutes, Spoelstra hinted that Ware was “subconsciously” playing poorly to get more minutes.
“He needs to get back to where he was 7, 8 weeks ago when everyone felt he was stacking good days. He’s stacking days in the wrong direction now,” he said. “I get it with some young players. You sometimes subconsciously play poorly to say, ‘Hey, I’ll play poorly until you play me the minutes I think I deserve, and then I’ll play well.’ That’s not how it works.”
The longtime head coach backtracked those comments ahead of their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“I didn’t articulate that in a great way and that wasn’t fair to [Kel’el Ware],” Spoelstra said. “I wasn’t even frustrated (with him). What I’ll say is that 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 he wants to become and that we need him to become.”
Good on Spoelstra for taking accountability. I have largely backed Spoelstra’s postgame remarks toward Ware in the past — but his “subconsciously” comments felt bizarre. While it didn’t appear he was angry or frustrated with Ware, it was a very poor delivery. And I’m sure he had people in his ear saying the same thing.
Ware, 21, is averaging 11.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks through 41 games. He’s shooting 54.3 percent from the floor, 41.9 percent from 3-point range and 81.5 percent from the free-throw line.
He is one of two Heat players (Dru Smith) who have not missed a single game this season.
When his motor is running hot, the 7-foot center can be a dominant force whenever he wants. But it’s been his most inconsistent feature, which has led to his playing time decreasing over the team’s last five games.
Few expected Ware to be as far along as he has through one-and-a-half seasons. Spoelstra and his staff have largely done a great job, in my opinion, with Ware’s development. He spoke about some of his improvements, too.
“I look back at where he was last year at this time, and where he is now,” he said. “I think he’s markedly improved not only his approach, but his work ethic, professionalism and his game. I do have to figure out some things and it might not happen immediately.
“There’s some rotations that have to produce a little better. Some of the impact and the on-court on and off numbers has to be a little bit better. And that’s I’m excited about (for) the second half of the season.”
The Miami Heat tip off against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:00 p.m. EST.
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No shit you didn’t articulate it right Spo.Ware is a 21 year old impressionable kid. Don’t take your frustrations out on him. Who you going after next…Jakucionis?