Unless Norman Powell is awarded an NBA All-Star spot this coming February, the Miami Heat will be limited in their All-Star weekend representation, as Kel'el Ware would be the only member of the Heat to participate in any of the events.
Ware, having just been selected to the NBA's Rising Stars game, is in the middle of a struggling, inconsistent season, which aligns with how Miami's season has gone overall. The Heat have played more up-and-down basketball this season than maybe most other teams in the league, and Ware, being in his second season, has gone through the same routine.
Still, an inconsistent season does not automatically mean Ware has no future, or his potential is somehow in crisis mode in Miami. It just means, like many young players, their second season is usually a year of growth in the trenches. Now, about to represent the Heat at All-Star weekend, it shows that Miami still has something in Ware, and that bodes well for his future.
Kel'el Ware remains one of the NBA's more talented young centers despite poor numbers this season
Let's not forget that, in his rookie year, Ware was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He missed out on playing in last year's Rising Stars event, so this February will be his first crack at it. Ware is averaging 11.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game this season. All of his numbers are up from his rookie year, save for field goal percentage and assists.
Even while his points and minutes are up, for instance, Ware has struggled to find a consistent role within Erik Spoelstra's rotation. It was only a couple of weeks ago that Spoelstra publicly called out his second-year player, only to backtrack on his comments a few days later, admitting he hadn't fully thought them through.
There has clearly been some tension between the player and the coach throughout this season, and Ware has indicated he feels he should be playing more minutes. Again, it is likely just second-season growing pains, but Ware's talent and potential are still very much in place, as his Rising Stars selection shows.
Interestingly enough, when Ware plays big minutes for the Heat, they win more than they lose. If Ware plays 30 or more minutes in a game, Miami is 5-2. In those games, Ware has averaged 18 points and 15 rebounds. Furthermore, when Ware starts for the Heat, they are 16-11. The numbers don't lie — Ware in the lineup has produced good team results.
Clearly, Ware has a place on the Heat for this reason. In the present, however, Ware is injured, having missed four consecutive games to date. How this affects his Rising Stars selection, only time will tell.