Miami Heat big Kel’el Ware played two of the team’s three California Classic games. (Mandatory Credit: Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
At this time last year, Kel’el Ware was dazzling in Las Vegas as one of the league’s top rookies. There were still deficiencies that needed to be ironed out — such as his body positioning, shooting consistency and strength — but Ware still showcased enticing potential for the first time in a Miami Heat uniform.
The Heat’s No. 15 overall selection parlayed his strong summer in a productive rookie season, averaging 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in 64 games, including 36 starts. He had 15 double-doubles, including a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double in his second career start.
Ware, 21, earned second team All-Rookie and is determined to prove the team right after they didn’t trade him for Kevin Durant last month.
While we know that rookie Kasparas Jakucionis had a disappointing California Classic, so did Ware despite averaging 13.0 points and five rebounds. Heat Summer League head coach Eric Glass acknowledged his inconsistent play with reporters this week.
“I think defensively he had his moments where he was a dominant threat at the rim protecting and then other times he wasn’t getting rebounds,” Glass said, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “He’ll be the first one to tell you that. So I think he can definitely take it up a notch. We’re seeing flashes, but I’d like to see it more consistently. … He’s got areas that he needs to improve on just like every other player, and we’re looking for him to take that step in summer league.”
In the grand scheme of things, how a player plays in Summer League won’t necessarily translate to an NBA floor.
But you want to see your best young players dominate–especially players with at least a year of experience under their belt. Ware’s impact, albeit in only two games, has been night-and-day relative to where it was a year ago.
Ware hasn’t been active on the glass, he’s getting pushed off his spot too easily on both ends, his screen-setting and long-range shooting has been poor, his defensive positioning has been quite poor, he’s not making quick decisions.
He’s still been good as a vertical spacer — his best quality offensively — but there hasn’t been much else. And when you get labeled with motor concerns at any point, you’re going to have to do 125 percent of the work to get 100 percent of the credit.
For the sake of him and the team, I hope he’s able to be more impactful Friday against Atlanta (and however long he plays after), putting together winning habits (consistently) against weaker competiton.
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