Heat may have just dodged major Kel’el Ware disaster

Erik Spoelstra made headlines when he singled out Kel'el Ware's professionalism as an issue following the 21-year-old's summer-league struggles. Though the head coach's intentions are seemingly pure, this is the type of callout that can begin eroding the relationship between the Miami Heat and the player they deemed too valuable to trade for Kevin Durant.

As it turns out, though, Ware is taking Spoelstra's comments in stride, telling reporters that he's using them as "motivation" rather than fuel for a grudge. The importance of this response cannot be overstated—not even a little bit.

Words and intent have a way of getting twisted through headlines and meticulously clipped snippets of longer interviews. Ware could have simply doomscrolled his way through all the "Erik Spoelstra calls out Heat cornerstone" headlines, harped on the professionalism tidbit, and then retorted in kind, either by sulking, withdrawing, firing a perceived jab of his own, or by doing something else.

Instead, the seven-footer is reacting exactly how Miami should want him to react.

Erik Spoelstra’s comments on Kel’el Ware weren’t that bad

It should be noted that the full context of Spoelstra’s previous comments aren’t too spicy. Here’s what the veteran sideline-wanderer said during his July 12 media availability (h/t SI.com’s Bryan Townes):

“The professionalism inconsistency has to improve, and it is. Our standards are not going to change. Our expectations of how fast we want that to improve for him are not going to change. But he’s got to get better at it. He has to take ownership of it. The other stuff will come along with that. That leads into the weight room. Your professionalism, consistency, and your approach every single day.”

Singling out parts like “has to take ownership” do a great job of stoking controversy, but they don’t capture the entire context. Spoelstra is holding Ware to an exceptionally high standard precisely because he values him—because he believes in him. This may still come across as tough love, but it’s a show of affection all the same.

Kel’el Ware is already making progress the Heat will love

Ware has clear issues on the court that his slow start to summer league exposed. Those concerns have yet to dissipate. But the handling of this situation is proof of his professionalism. 

Someone less mature might have deflected or displaced blame, or forcefully fired back. Ware is taking Spo’s sentiments for what they are: an acknowledgement that he can and must get better in all facets of game, both on and off the court.

To Ware’s credit, Spoelstra has showered him with praise for getting stronger since the end of last season. More critically, Ware tallied 21 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks on 8-of-14 shooting from the floor, including a 2-of-3 clip from three-point range, almost immediately on the heels of Coach Spo’s assessment. That is a statement all its own. 

All is not suddenly right in Heat Land just because Ware processed criticism, and then finally delivered on the court. But this, um, mini ordeal was nothing if not a test of his ability to handle developing as part of Miami’s program. And he passed with flying colors—for now.