Nikola Jovic has perfect response for Erik Spoelstra’s tough love approach

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra made headlines earlier this summer after calling out Kel’el Ware’s professionalism — or lack thereof — during Summer League after a very poor start for the second-year big.

Ware responded — emphatically — over the team’s final three Summer League games. Though those concerns perked up again in preseason after an empty 18-point, 10-rebound performance against the Milwaukee Bucks’ third stringers. Despite accumulating counting stats, Ware’s impact was minimal, leading Spoelstra to continue to push Ware publicly about his inconsistencies on the court.

While Spoelstra’s been critical of the 7-foot big on multiple occasions publicly — an approach he doesn’t have with most players — fourth-year forward Nikola Jovic commented about his tough-love approach, offering a different perspective.

“It’s hard because how Spo is now with Kel’el, he was a similar way to me,” he said, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “I think he actually trusts and believes in Kel’el a lot more with the potential he has. It would be stupid to not use it. It’s obvious how good he can be, and they really want to make sure that he’s the best that he can be.

“You feel like they’re making sure that they notice everything you do wrong, and then you kind of get mad, and you get into your feelings. I feel like that’s normal. But you just got to understand as soon as possible that they actually want you to be the best version of yourself. And for him, I feel like he understands it. He’s kind of still taking things slowly because he’s 21. So, he’ll be good.”

Not every player can be coached the same. Nikola Jovic knows that:

After Spoelstra’s postgame critiques, Ware responded with three of his best games in any professional setting against the San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies, respectively.

All in all, Ware had a productive preseason. He averaged 17.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and one steal on 50.6 percent shooting, including 38.1 percent from distance and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line. His impact as a rebounder — on both ends — vertical spacer and an in-between threat was felt over the latter stretch.

Ware’s shooting also looked good during the Heat’s six-game preseason, sporting a quicker release with little-to-no dip (which he had as a rookie). There is still work to be done defensively and as a screener, but the flashes were more than there.

If anyone knows how to tap into one’s competitive juices, it’s Erik Spoelstra. Ware’s motor concerns date back to his freshman season at Oregon under Dana Altman, a very good coach. And he didn’t necessarily silence those doubts as a sophomore at Indiana under Mike Woodson.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Ware’s going to do 125 percent of the work to earn 100 percent of the credit. Spoelstra knows that not every player needs the same brand of coaching to tap into their potential. The longtime Heat head coach knows how to make players compete with not only each other — but themselves.

Ware is in the perfect ecosystem for him. Stacking days is important for him and his long-term growth, and if that comes by virtue of tough love when Spo notices a player not giving it their all, then so be it.

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