After the first five games of the season, Miami Heat fans are finally realizing why head coach Erik Spoelstra is so critical of Kel'el Ware. Through the first week-plus of the season, the Heat has seen both the best and worst of Ware. However, there's one stat that helps explain the entire Ware experience so far this season.
Somehow, the Heat has a -9.5 net rating when Ware is on the floor. The fact that he's a starter and that the Heat have one of the best point differentials in the league is quite the riddle.
Amongst starters and regular rotation players, Ware has the worst net rating on the team. Even though net rating isn't the end-all, be-all statistic that some elevate it to be, it's certainly troubling that Ware has struggled mightily to start the season in that department.
And the simple (and old fashioned) eye test seems to back that up.
Kel'el Ware has an effort problem
Taking statistics out of the equation, Ware has easily been one of the most inconsistent players for the Heat this year. And there's a strong argument to be made that his worst performance of the year came in the Heat's loss to the Spurs.
Heading into the big matchup against the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama (even though they didn't directly go head-to-head much of the night), Ware finished with zero points (0-4 FG) and seven rebounds in 21 minutes of action.
On brand, Ware finished a team-worst -20 on the night.
But it's not just his overall inconsistent production that is bad for the Heat overall. It's the moments when there's a clear lack of effort on his part that should drive fans as crazy as it does Spo. Now that we're beginning to see it in the regular season (and in his second year), we're beginning to understand why Spo has been so critical of Ware.
When Ware is engaged and locked in, he's a special player. With his size and athleticism, it's difficult not to be impressed with Ware from a pure talent standpoint. However, when he doesn't get up for games, that's almost equally evident.
And it's difficult for the Heat to lean on Ware so much when he's so inconsistent.
Ware is easily one of the most naturally talented players on the roster, but it's beginning to become crystal clear why he's also one of the most frustrating players on the team. Fans are starting to understand and empathize with Spo. But, to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing for the Heat overall.