The Miami Heat just went 2-1 over a three-game stretch that saw them play the Chicago Bulls all three games consecutively. One of those matchups was a makeup game after bad weather in Chicago forced the NBA to cancel the Heat's game against the Bulls two weeks ago.
The three-game stretch was odd, to say the least, given the outcomes of the games and the final scores. Miami won one game close, by three points, and another in a blowout by 43 points. In between, Miami lost a closer game, but still by seven points. Going 2-1 isn't bad, but Miami should have taken all three against Chicago because they are the better team.
Nevertheless, the Heat appear to be following the trend of a win, loss, win, loss, and so forth. It's hard to build consistency when you can't win consistency. This is the reality the Heat are facing, and Erik Spoelstra has to be the voice in that locker room that figures it out. In fact, he recently called himself out for his recent shortcomings and stated he must take more accountability for the remaining games Miami has.
Erik Spoelstra admits he needs to hold young Heat players more accountable, with Kel'el Ware being the obvious focus point
Miami's 134-91 blowout over Chicago on Sunday was its biggest win of the season. In the win, Kel'el Ware logged 18 minutes, the most minutes he's played since the Heat faced the Golden State Warriors seven games ago. In his 18 minutes, Ware scored 17 points on 8-of-15 shooting and added six rebounds.
Ware has averaged 22 minutes per game this season, but those minutes have fluctuated since the start of the new year. Some of it has to do with the drop in production when he's been on the floor, and some with Spoelstra's decision-making regarding his rotations.
If there seems to be tension between Spoelstra and Ware lately, it's not far from the truth. Each has made public statements in the last few weeks regarding playing time and the need to play better. Spoelstra has also received some criticism for how he's handled Ware this season. While working with what he has at his disposal, Spoelstra has done a generally fair job this season.
That said, he believes he could be doing more, especially when it comes to the younger players on the team, whom he admits he should be holding more accountable, as well as himself. He spoke to this following the win over the Bulls on Sunday.
"We all just want to do better, and that includes the head coach. I have to do a better job with this group. We have the potential we can see, it's a matter of consistency, and that's what I'm here for," Spoelstra said. "Also, to hold the young guys accountable, and we have more of them than in recent history, but also develop them and infuse confidence in them. That's a fine balance, but that's what I'm here for. I want to take that challenge and be better with thatin these final 30 games."
With the NBA trade deadline just a few days away, it's take action now, or lose the season, for the Heat. Of course, if Pat Riley is able to pull off a trade that shakes the NBA and changes the Heat's season for the better, that may put Spoelstra in a completely different position altogether.
On the flip side, if the Heat decide to stand pat or make a minimal move or two, Spoelstra's position likely won't change all that much. Ware, and the other young players Spoelstra didn't name by name, will remain under his charge. Ware, specifically, has show alot of potential; Spoelstra has to figure out how to best use that for the betterment of the Heat, as the playoffs could still be in their path.