{"id":3257,"date":"2024-11-22T03:09:22","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T03:09:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=3257"},"modified":"2024-11-22T03:09:22","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T03:09:22","slug":"heats-erik-spoelstra-highlights-kelel-wares-development-amid-sparse-playing-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=3257","title":{"rendered":"Heat’s Erik Spoelstra highlights Kel’el Ware’s development amid sparse playing time.."},"content":{"rendered":"

As Heat fans clamor for more Kel’el Ware minutes, Erik Spoelstra speaks of his work behind the scenes.<\/p>\n

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\"Miami<\/p>\n
MIAMI \u2013 As the\u00a0Miami Heat are coming off a great win\u00a0over the Philadelphia 76ers, fans are still wondering about the role of first-round pick Kel’el Ware. As the narrative about the\u00a0Heat rookie getting sparse playing time has been ongoing, he spoke with ClutchPoints after Thursday’s practice about being patient while head coach\u00a0Erik Spoelstra also touched on his development.<\/p>\n

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra on Kel’el Ware waiting patiently for playing time<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Miami
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There is no doubt that the\u00a0minutes for Ware have been sporadic\u00a0as there was very little to start the season, then it ramped up due to the prolonged absence of Kevin Love, but it’s now virtually zero due to his return. However, it’s important to remember that the Indiana University product is a rookie, and the behind-the-scenes work has been impressive, as Spoelstra said to ClutchPoints.<\/p>\n

The head coach would also emphasize how even though the playing time is not consistent for Ware,\u00a0it isn’t because there are any setbacks.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s really committed to the whole process, and part of that process is just quiet all the noise,\u201d Spoelstra said. \u201cYou know, everybody has all these expectations, and rightly so. And you know, if he’s not playing a certain amount of minutes, or if he doesn’t get into the game, that doesn’t mean things are going poorly, you know, quite the contrary, he’s doing a lot of really good things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally good practice today\u2026Control what you can control, stack good days, keep on doing those good days,\u201d Spoelstra continued. \u201cIt leaves an impression on the head coach and the rest of the coaching staff, your teammates, you know. And he’s, he’s getting better. Still has to learn the league, learn how things go. But he’s making a lot of steps forward, steps behind the scenes, and that’s what you want to see with young players.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Asked Erik Spoelstra about Kel\u2019el Ware behind the scenes and sung his praises. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s really committed to the whole process\u2026if he\u2019s not playing a certain amount of minutes or doesn\u2019t get into a game, it doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s going poorly, quite the contrary\u2026\u201d #HeatNation<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/2hDkBFxufi<\/a><\/p>\n

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 21, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n