Kel’el Ware was impressive on Saturday night in his first game action in nearly a month, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. With Kevin Love unavailable for personal reasons, the rookie center came off the Heat bench to deliver eight points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 14 minutes. Coach Erik Spoelstra said the performance was a result of the work Ware has been putting in since the start of training camp.
“He has been doing what he needs to do,” Spoelstra said. “This is what I really respect about what he’s done so far as a young player. He has not gotten caught up in anything other than daily improvement, which is hard to do if you’re not necessarily playing every single game. But you commit to the process, you commit to the work in the weight room, pre-practice, film sessions, all the things. Young players sometimes can think we’re a little bit crazy with all of that, and he hasn’t. He’s embraced all of it. So it’s going to happen for him.”
One good game won’t guarantee more playing time for Ware, but there’s a greater opportunity after Miami traded backup center Thomas Bryant to Indiana. While Ware has a large learning curve as a 20-year-old on a veteran team, Chiang notes that he has impressed his teammates with his approach to the game.
“He has really fit in with us well because he just continues to work hard,” Love said. “He listens to every single one of us, he wants to apply things that are taught to him both on and off the floor. He has really just continued to chase the game.”
There’s more from Miami:
- It’s appearing more likely that Jimmy Butler will finish out the season in Miami, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN. Talking with NBA executives at the G League Showcase, Marks cited a “growing consensus” that the Heat will hold onto Butler past the deadline unless he becomes a distraction or they receive an offer that’s too good to pass up.
- Josh Christopher hasn’t gotten into an NBA game since signing a two-way contract with the Heat, but he’s already competed for championships during Summer League and at the G League Showcase, notes Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel. Christopher scored 31 points on Sunday, his 13th straight game of 20 or more, as Sioux Falls fell to Westchester. That came after leading the Summer League team to a title in Las Vegas. “Just trying to be a sponge and not take the opportunity for granted,” Christopher said, “but just take advantage of it and learn as much as I can, and use the minutes as an opportunity just to grow and help win ball games.”
- The Heat are still reeling after letting a late 22-point lead slip away in Saturday’s game at Orlando, Chiang adds in a separate story. Miami was outscored 37-8 in the fourth quarter while suffering its most frustrating loss of the season. “I feel like we relaxed because we were up,” Bam Adebayo said. “I feel like that’s the karma of the game. You relax and then you let a team get hot, and then it goes the other way and you’re trying to fight back.”
Buckets, you just make TOO MANY darn Benjamins for anyone to wanna take a realistic shot at attaining you. I was intrigued about you coming over to the bay – along with Jaquez and Highsmith – for Wiggins/Podziemski/Anderson/TJD until I looked up how much you’re pocketing this season from Heat ownership – GRAND LARCENY, buddy. I LIKE you, Jimmy – just not for THAT much.
Let’s make it clear
Butler has little trade value- 2-month rental
He does have more value than Ingram, Beal, PG, Porter Jr or LaVine – negative assets
Adebayo should be referring to himself for that last section. His defense went to pieces in the 4th. -29 in that period alone, with only one rebound. He let off the gas, more than anyone else. And it’s not like the Magic were just shooting threes over the defense, they went 4/8 from 3 in the period. Out of position or late getting back on almost every drive.
It feels that way sometimes with Bam and AD but you have to realize how much coverage they are shifting to everyone else at all times
Both teams could sure use a tag team partner to relieve some pressure and allow them to roam more freely without always second guessing. When it looks bad it looks bad on them but I think Mia and Lakers FO’s are more to fault here
Factually no reason for heat to trade for Bradley Beal! Gonna be a top 5 payed player when he’s no longer all star caliber! Still a decent player but not for 110 million the next two years with a continued no trade clause
My prediction
Butler will be traded by deadline 70%
Butler walks for nothing next summer 20%
Butler resigns with Heat 10% – there are some serious issues with Heat
Butler for Beal 0%
I’m very surprised Jaime Jaquez Jr. is not playing a lot more. Whenever I’ve seen him play, say when he drives to the right side, he looks unstoppable. Of course, for years, I’ve also been surprised Tyler Herro has taken so long to become a starter. Seems like Miami has a ton of talented players but I guess that can be a problem in itself.