Erik Spoelstra may have finally gotten through to Kel'el Ware; if so, the Miami Heat will be better for it. It will also do wonders for Ware as he looks to build some momentum toward the end of his sophomore season in the Association.
And all it may have taken was one breakthrough meeting between Spo and Ware. In a big moment, as Spo pointed out after one of the best games of his season, in which the sophomore center finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ware was everything the team needed him to be.
According to Spo, he's had multiple sit-down meetings with Ware after a few rough outings. It appears that those meetings may have paid off because against the Cavs, it did seem as if something had finally clicked for the 7-footer.
In Wednesday night's huge win, Ware was a team-best +32 when he was on the floor.
Did Kel'el Ware get over the hump?
In some ways, Spo may have felt this type of performance was eventually coming.
"I met with him at a productive film session where he wanted to get better and had a very good practice, and then it carried over."
If there has been some sort of eureka moment for Ware, it couldn't have come at a better time. In the midst of a five-game losing streak, the Heat desperately needed a win. Grinding one out on the road against one of the best Eastern Conference teams may not have been expected, but it's right on time.
With just nine games left in the season, and the Heat looking to climb back into the top 6 if the East standings, it's now or never for this team.
Kel'el Ware has a huge impact on the Heat's overall success
And if they're going to do the unthinkable - and finally break a three-game Play-In Tournament trend - they're going to need the best of every player on the floor. That includes Ware, who may have a greater influence on the Heat's success than most may realize.
As Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang points out, the Heat is 23-2 this season when Ware posts a positive plus/minus. That's more lopsided than you'd expect, and speaks to more than just a coincidence.
Ware is an important part of the Heat's winning formula, and when he plays well, Miami is more likely to be on the winning side of the game. That's certainly something to keep in mind down the stretch.
And if, in fact, Ware has truly hit a turning point in the season, it will only bode well for a Heat team that is looking for some momentum heading into the postseason.