When the Miami Heat drafted Kel’el Ware last June, it was met with a few jeers by the fans.
Ware turned those into cheers after a strong showing in the summer league in Las Vegas. A month into the season, they are once again questioning the selection.
It has nothing to do with Ware but more about the players the Heat could have drafted. The players chosen immediately after him were Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers) and Dalton Knecht ( Los Angeles Lakers)
McCain and Knecht are both having impacts in their rookie season while Ware has yet to make it into the rotation. McCain, who many felt was the perfect fit for the Heat, is averaging 15.3 points, made three starts and played in 13 games.
Ware is averaging 2.2 points and 1.1 rebounds in limited action.
“Is it going to be perfect? No,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Ware’s progress. “He still has a lot of things to learn, got to figure out where he can be most effective in his role … He’s going to improve very quickly.”
And then there’s Knecht, who is becoming the steal of the draft. The Lakers are reaping the same benefits as the Heat did when they selected Jaime Jaquez at No. 18 last year. Knecht is coming of a career-high, 37-point game against the Utah Jazz Tuesday.
It’s way too early to say the Heat made a mistake in drafting Ware. He still has plenty time left to develop. The Heat are displaying patience but it’s a little tougher for fans when watching McCain and Knecht flourish so quickly.
“We really liked the way he’s developed,” Spoelstra said. “He’s embraced us and the work and the structure. He’s also responded very well in the weight room. He’s just been diligently working.”
