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Heat’s Kel’el Ware makes second-team All-Rookie

Kel'el Ware
Miami Heat big man Kel’el Ware averaged 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds across 64 games. (Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Miami Heat big man Kel’el Ware has officially made second-team All-Rookie, the NBA announced Tuesday.

He finished sixth in the voting. Others who made the second team include Matas Buzelis (Bulls), Yves Missi (Pelicans), Donovan Clingan (Blazers) and Bub Carrington (Wizards). Ware, 21, secured 44 first-place votes and 50 second-place votes.

The Heat’s No. 15 overall pick averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game across 64 games. He shot 55.4 percent from the floor, 31.5 percent from 3-point range (1.7 3PA) and 68.7 percent from the free-throw line.

A part of me is surprised that Ware did not make first-team honors. Though the players who earned it–Stephon Castle (Spurs), Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks), Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies), Zach Edey (Grizzlies) and Alex Sarr (Wizards)–all had compelling cases as well to varying degrees. Castle, who ran away with the Rookie of the Year, is the only player who swept the first-team voting.

He finished 12th among rookies in total points, fourth in rebounds, sixth in blocks, fifth in field goal percentage (min. 150 FGA), second in win shares, fifth in win shares per 48 and tied for first in value over replacement player (0.7). Ware finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting after securing four third-place votes.

Miami’s 7-foot big becomes the franchise’s second-straight rookie to make the All-Rookie team; Jaime Jaquez Jr. made the first team last year, finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting with 89 of the 100 possible first-place votes. He is the 15th All-Rookie honoree in franchise history.

Ware has all the physical tools to put together, though an issue that oftentimes appears with him is inconsistency. Not all growth is linear, but if he can put together a quality second season with noticeable improvement, Ware’s stock will continue to soar.

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heat for life

edey or ware who u taking sun rc?

SunManFromDogBone

Edey is modern day Mark Eaton.. Too slow. Limited potential. Ware jury still out.

heatforlife

edeys size makes him playable.in college nobody could guard him.this past year he was better than ware.jury is out on both of them how good they can become.right now choose one sun

Reality Czech

How was he better than Ware?? Their numbers are almost exactly the same.

Big_guy305

I’m taking ware, there numbers we’re almost the same, plus edey started out the gate getting more minutes then ware. Edey is really big and slow of foot on the perimeter, so he can get played off floor more easier then ware, especially in the transition against quicker players. Also ware has more upside, especially on the defensive end, since he’s more mobile.

Last edited 1 hour ago by Big_guy305
heatforlife

your my gm thats a decision that has to be made in a few years we’ll see who is better.with bam on the team it takes alot away from wares game. id rather have ware w/o bam .with bam id rather have a giant like edey

SunManFromDogBone

We both liked Edey over Ware and other centers before the draft. RC liked Ware. After watching both play, if I had to pick again, I would take Ware. You are always harping on athleticism. Ware is more athletic. I think he has a higher ceiling than Edey.

Reality Czech

If Edey was available when that pick was made, I mistakenly might have picked him. Glad we got Ware.

Reality Czech

I have to stick with Ware. I think with his athleticism, he has a lot more upside. I was intrigued by Edey in that draft, but feel we have the better player for the long run.

SunManFromDogBone

Wiggins, Anderson, Larsson and #1 picks in 2025 and 2029 for Darius Garland?
Oh hell no!!!!! His defensive rating is 114.7. Herro’s is 114.9. If the Heat were to pursue this trade it would only confirm once and for all that someone in the front office is thinking with a part of his body not connected to his head.

SunManFromDogBone
Last edited 5 hours ago by SunManFromDogBone
heatforlife

garland herro same player.both above avg players.garlands very injury prone.if garland can play pg not a bad deal sun garlands good for 20 tyler 20 i wouldnt mind that bc

SunManFromDogBone

Opposing teams would be able to target them both.

SunManFromDogBone

Congratulations Kel’el!

First Year Stats
9.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 55.4 FG%, 31.5 3PT%. 68.7 FT% 22.2 MPG

Not bad, considering:

A) you didn’t see any serious minutes until late January, while most of the other rookies selected were utilized from the beginning of the season.
B) 3 of the first team players Castle, Sarr and Risacher played more minutes per game than you and
C) you beat out a bunch of lottery picks to make the 2nd team (you had 6th highest overall votes).

Next season should be even better. With added strength, conditioning, experience and maturity, you should become a very good (A- or better) center within a couple of years.

Realistic Second Year Goals
15.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 60.0 FG%, 36.0 3PT%, 75.0 FT%, and 30.0 MPG

SunManFromDogBone

NOTE: Since Jan. 19, (when he became a fixture in their every-game rotation), Ware averaged 11.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2 stocks in 28 minutes a game.

Last edited 9 hours ago by SunManFromDogBone
SunManFromDogBone

*2 blocks

Reality Czech

Re: realistic second year goals. Once again, someone saved me writing a comment because they wrote exactly what I would have. Absolutely doesn’t need to average 20ppg, not just next season, but ongoing. 15/10 2 bpg would be fine.

heatforlife

if bam is traded wares 20 12 guy.id like to see bam traded for a20 pt forward

SunManFromDogBone

Here’s something to munch on heat. The money works on ESPN Trade Machine. This scenario presumes Miami will agree to contract extensions for Mitchell and Burks. I defer to RC for determining the first and second apron implications.

Sacramento gets: Adebayo, Wiggins and Jaquez

New Orleans gets: Herro, Rozier, Robinson, Highsmith and Larsson plus pick

Miami gets: Domantas Sabonis & DeMar DeRozan from Sacramento, Zion Williamson, DeJounte Murray and Herb Jones from New Orleans

Line-up:
Mitchell, Murray, DeRozan, Williamson, Sabonis
Bench: Smith, Burks, Jones, Jovic, Ware

Note: If Mitchell is not re-signed, Murray, DeRozan, Williamson and Sabonis can slide down one position to PG, SG, SF and PF and Ware can be inserted as C. Second unit can add Anderson as PF and slide Jovic to C.

heatforlife

dissapointing last month playoffs to looked totally lost not well coached.not sure how good he is know he can defend block shots is he 10 pts 15 20 pts a night plaYER.he needs to be 20 to help our team which we need alot of

SunManFromDogBone

Rome wasn’t built in a day. The kid just turned 21 and has less than 3 months experience as a starter.

Hothothoopsfan4life

“dissapointing last month playoffs to looked totally lost not well coached.“

That’s because the whole team had no business being nowhere near a f***ing playoff

SunManFromDogBone

Hhhf4l, were you someone else in your prior life then changed your name to protect your real identity.

You must not have been around way back in 2020 and 2023, since I hadn’t noticed you posting until recently. They didn’t have any business being in the playoffs then either. Nonetheless, they upset a few teams on their way to the finals. So there’s that. There are teams that would kill to get in the playoffs and get swept (starting with Charlotte).

Hothothoopsfan4life

“There are teams that would kill to get in the playoffs and get swept (starting with Charlotte).“

Because you said so and it must be right, just dumb……the hornets would beat Mia in a playoff series. Lamelo better than any player on the heat Brandon miller definitely better than any heat player.

Reality Czech

I like Ball, but he had the 4th most turnovers per game in the league, shot 41% fg%, and 34% 3p%. So I disagree that he’s better than anyone on the Heat.

SunManFromDogBone

So much for hhhf4l liking only 2 way players. LaMelo’s defense sucks big time 117.2. That’s worse than anyone on the Heat team, even Duncan. Oh, I forgot, LaMelo’s not a whiteside. It all makes sense now.

Last edited 3 hours ago by SunManFromDogBone
SunManFromDogBone

Heat mediocre but Charlotte SUCKS! You didn’t answer my question. Must be trying to hide something. Hmmm?

Big_guy305

Lamelo injury prone and him and Miller aren’t better then bam. If Lamelo so good why can’t his teams make the playoffs or even get in the play-in in the weak east ?

InsuranceMan

Good job Kel’el, well done to Adam Simon as well

Reality Czech

Congratulations Kel’el!!

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