A few years ago, Bam Adebayo was a promising interior, out of the Kentucky mold, but in the shadow of then-starter Hassan Whiteside. He had to be patient, alternating between prolonged periods on the bench and some lightening spells during the absences of the gluttonous Whiteside, a frustrating double-double machine.
Fast forward to 2025, Bam Adebayo has become the boss of the Heat's racket. And behind him grows a rookie with high potential, Kel'el Ware. The former University of Indiana seized the opportunity offered by Erik Spoelstra on Sunday to dominate the match against the Spurs, notably by forming an interesting pair with the one for whom he usually takes over.
One minute is the playing time that Kel'El Ware and Bam Adebayo had shared since the start of the season. But faced with the challenge of Victor Wembanyama and after a difficult start to the match from his team, Erik Spoelstra tried the “tall ball” option by throwing his two pivots together with 7'19″ remaining in the second quarter.
« They are two very dynamic players in defense, this gives us more versatility, more ability to toughen up the game » mentioned the Heat coach before the match, his plan already in mind. “ I think we're at the point where I'm going to start doing what I think can help us in late quarter situations. »
+/- of +27 !
If this idea had to be advanced a little by the circumstances of the match, it was no less fruitful. Kel'el Ware and Bam Adebayo spent the rest of the second quarter together to limit the Spurs to 11 points and make it 14-2. Then Kel'El Ware started the third quarter with the starters in place of Haywood Highsmith, for another successful passage with a 22-11 in favor of Miami. A decisive 36-13 with this Ware – Adebayo tandem to face the length of Victor Wembanyama.
« This is awesome, Bam and I have been waiting for this to happen » rejoiced the rookie. “ We had to take full advantage of this first time. So we showed the world what that kinda looks like. » « This was clearly the first spark of the match » welcomed Erik Spoelstra at a press conference. “ They were exceptional defensively. It kind of sparked the energy for the whole group and they were able to enjoy it in transition. From there, our attack began to unfold. »
Kel'El Ware was one of the spearheads, well placed near the circle to recover all the balls sent to him, or by trying his luck from afar. Aggressive, he finished with 25 points, and the title of best scorer of the match to go with his eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks. “ What he's done through his play and his ability to make an impact has allowed him to get more playing time, and that's what we're seeing » explained Erik Spoelstra.
“That's what we want all players to do: make us look at you, make us have to play you, make us have to think about why not play you and make us keep finding others solutions to keep you on the ground. And that's what he's doing right now. »
-The example of Bam Adebayo
Enough to earn your stripes as a new major player in the rotation, or even imagine a lasting racket with Bam Adebayo? Erik Spoelstra tempers and refuses to get excited, while Kel'el Ware still had to get minutes in the G League a month earlier.
« I know Kel'el generates a lot of opinions outside the locker room »reacted the Florida technician. “ Let us do our job. Let him do what he's doing. The initial plan was to develop him and get him comfortable in a role where he can impact a game. The bench has made progress, this has been one of our good points in recent weeks. And he was very good in this role. »
Miami's biggest playing time on Sunday, Kel'el Ware will have to continue to prove his place and his value to obtain the full confidence of his coach.
« I work every day, so when I come into play, I'm not going to ask myself any questions » assured the person concerned. He can take an example from Bam Adebayo, who became a full-time starter at the end of his second season.
| Kel'el Ware | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2024-25 | MIA | 26 | 14 | 57.8 | 40.0 | 70.4 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 7.3 |
| Total | 26 | 14 | 57.8 | 40.0 | 70.4 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 7.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
