Kel’el Ware and the Miami Heat have stumbled across a formula that could be fruitful for the team.
The Miami Heat brushed aside ongoing concerns over Jimmy Butler, who was ineffective in the win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Instead the win was inspired by Kel’el Ware, who mirrored Victor Wembanyama with a dominant big man performance in the 128-107 win.
The Heat were up by a lot more too, serving a dominant third quarter in which the team scored 46 points.
Ware and Adebayo combine
Key to Miami putting up 46 in the third was mainly due to the extensive time the two big men, Kel’el Ware and Bam Adebayo, enjoyed on court together, combining to help the team on a 36-13 run.
The Heat are a typically small team, and Ware and Adebayo’s minutes together have been limited, until now.
Erik Spoelstra said post-game he was open to seeing more of the duo together, telling a press conferece: It’s such a small size, but obviously they’re both dynamic defensivelly.
“I think we’re at a point where I’ll start to do that if I feel like it’ll help.”
It certainly helped Ware’s performance, with the 7ft rookie scoring a career-equalling 25 points.
Adebayo has encouraged Ware previously despite the 20-year-old’s lack of starts, and together they could form a useful partnership to add a new dimension to the team.
Ware predicted success
Back on draft night after Kel’el Ware was taken with the 15th overall pick, the Heat’s newest star was asked about his similarities to Adebayo.
Ware was asked: “You can put the ball on the floor and shoot the three. When you see a player like Bam being able to do the same things, and them giving him freedom, what do you think it’s going to be like for you with someone with your skill set and how you’ll be able to build off that as well?”
Ware had a simple response, confident he would be a success on the court with Adebayo, given time.
The Indiana graduate was prepared that he would not go straight into the starting line-up, and would have to earn his way in. And he was spot on.
Ware responded: “Well, like you said, they have their trust in Bam. So I feel like once they have trust with me, it comes with me showing them that in practice.
In terms of combining with Adebayo, he added: “I feel like that’s something that would elevate my game, just having that trust in me that I go out and make the right plays.”
Ware’s game was certainly elevated against the Spurs. He played with real confidence, especially when knowing he had Adebayo on court backing him up and sharing the defensive responsibilities.
The pair’s performance captured the attention of fans and media, finally moving the conversation on from the Jimmy Butler saga.
Whatever happens with Butler before the trade deadline, the Heat have reason to be positive. They may have nailed their pick after all.
