In many ways, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ frontcourt is the model for what the Miami Heat hope Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware can become for them.
Finding that frontcourt partner led the Heat to select Ware with the 15th pick in last year’s draft, and the rookie’s successful regular season only bolsters expectations. However, the postseason is different, and Ware struggled in his first playoff game against the Cavaliers.
Ware was played off the floor as the Heat were outscored by 12 in his 20 minutes. He totalled just two points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks. He didn’t record his first rebound until the second half, and his only basket came in the fourth quarter. He was beaten to six offensive rebounds by Jarrett Allen, either because of a lack of strength or a lack of hustle.
Kel'el Ware has to be better against the Cavs.
That Ware struggled against Cleveland in Game 1 shouldn’t be surprising. He labored in his only meeting against them in the regular season, when he had five points and four rebounds and was a minus-17 in 29 minutes in Miami’s Jan. 29 loss.
This is just a tough matchup for him.
But Adebayo believes Ware will benefit from these struggles during this series.
“He has to go through it,” Adebayo told the Miami Herald. “He’s young, but the thing about it is we know he’ll bounce back. He’s one of those rookies who retains a lot of information. He’s already got that first game out of the way,” he continued. “Now we go into this game Wednesday with a different mindset.”
Sunday’s loss isn’t solely on Ware. The Heat’s perimeter defense didn’t help, and Ware was forced too often to defend in space. But it’s also clear he wasn’t ready for the intensity of the game.
“Kel’el being in that environment, going through his very first playoff game, it probably surprised him a little bit,” Tyler Herro told reporters. “But he’ll be better and he’ll continue to improve and figure out what works in each series. Obviously, we need him big time if we’re going to compete in this series.”
Coaches and teammates praise Ware for his capacity to learn from poor performances and bounce back. Over the last six months, the 21-year-old has gone from out of the rotation to starting in a playoff game. For the Heat to compete in this series, he’ll have to take another leap.
“He’ll get to work. That’s the thing I really respect about Kel’el,” coach Erik Spoelstra said after Game 1. “And the areas that he’s gotten a lot better, we’re going to need in this series.”