Stock rising for 2 Miami Heat youngsters during road trip

The Miami Heat had a successful start to their road trip highlighted with three straight victories. Let's take at the Heat's best moments of the week with a Heat rookie being recognized for the first time this year.

Best defensive plays: Kel'el soars like Superman to protect the rim

Usually, one play is selected for each reward. But in this instance, an exception will be made as Miami Heat rookie Kel'el Ware made two fantastic rejections in back-to-back games, showing that he can make an impact when it comes to challenging shots.

The first block was made on Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen who attempted to put Ware on a poster. This backfired tremendously, as Markkanen was met at the apex by Ware who cleanly stuffed his dunk attempt that ended up leading to a Heat score.

I love seeing this from Ware, who showed no fear in possibly being dunked on. Every great rim protector has their moments of getting posterized, and the fact that Ware will challenge anyone without a second thought is something Heat fans have to enjoy seeing.

As for Ware's other block, this one came against the Portland Trail Blazers. But unlike the block on Markkanen that stopped a dunk, Ware climbed the ladder to record a vicious block on Deni Avdija who attempted a layup over Ware.

The power that Ware put behind the block sent the ball out of bounds and into the crowd. Although I prefer blocks that stay in bounds to possibly secure a possession, I also love seeing thunderous blocks that send a message to think twice before attempting soft layups.

Best pass of the week: Nikola Jovic throws a dime to Tyler Herro

A big part as to why Nikola Jovic is having success this season is due to the ball being in his hands more and setting up his teammates. Jovic has racked up a highlight reel of impressive passes on this road trip, but his best pass occurred against the Golden State Warriors. 

In this instance, Jovic found a mismatch in the post and drew two defenders to the ball. Instead of forcing the issue, Jovic found Tyler Herro in the corner and threw a phenomenal pass that led to a Herro triple.

Jovic has taken full advantage of Jimmy Butler's suspension and has shown his full skillset with more opportunity. If Miami wants to continue to get the most out of Jovic, Erik Spoelstra needs to continue drawing up sets with him setting the table.

Funniest moment of the week: Jovic channels his inner DX

After Nikola Jovic hit a huge three agianst the Warriors in which he was fouled, die hard wrestling fans immediately recognized the celebration that followed. While lying on the ground, Jovic provided Heat Nation with a hilarious celebration that flashed back to the iconic wrestling group, D-Generation X.

The cherry on top is that the referees did not ruin the celebration by calling a technical foul afterward, which unfortunately happens too often. Given the circumstances the Heat are in with the Butler trade fiasco, it's great to see the Heat sticking together as a team and having fun.

Best win: The Dame trade package puts on a show

At the peak of the Damian Lillard trade saga, a few amount of national media pundits made it seem as if the Miami Heat had the worst trade package of the 2020s for Lillard.

With how the cards are unfolding now, it looks as if the Heat's proposed deal with Tyler Herro as the centerpiece could have been beneficial in a Portland Trail Blazers rebuild. That's why it was so satisfying to see the Dame package put on a show with Herro and Jovic having phenomenal outings. And right near the front row to see this unfold was none other than Blazers general manager Joe Cronin.

It would have been nice to see Lillard in Miami and not closing the deal on a trade hurt a majority of Heat Nation. But with how the Dame package is beginning to take steps in the right direction, there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel where fans have something worth looking forward to in the future.