Erik Spoelstra‘s Miami Heat are coming off a tough 132-125 loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday night. Though the Heat put up a tough fight against the second-seed team in the East, the result sees them falling to 15-14 on the season.
Following the result, Erik Spoelstra appeared frustrated with his team’s performance. During his post-game media availability, the Heat head coach detailed Miami’s shortcomings and how the team must address these issues.
“I’m not talking about moral victories or anything like that,” Spoelstra shared. “We are developing collective competitive will. Those painful games are eventually going to be wins. We’re not happy about the result. We’re not trying to just play well. We’re developing a collective competitive will.”
“Our guys care in the locker room, but it’s got to be at another level,” he continued. “It’s not enough. It has to be more. It’s a savage league. It’s survival of the competitive toughest. That’s where we’re gonna get.”
Spoelstra’s comments paint an interesting picture of Miami’s situation. While the “Heat Culture” is well-known and their competitive desire has been acknowledged, it would appear that the team is struggling with consistency.
After a strong first-quarter display against the Knicks, the Heat seemed to take their foot off the gas, giving New York a way back into the game. With a complete defensive breakdown in the second quarter, Erik Spoelstra’s frustration with his team is justified.
Erik Spoelstra Praises Kel’el Ware
On a more positive note, Erik Spoelstra seemed to be impressed with Kel’el Ware‘s performance against the Heat. He discussed Ware’s improvement and other areas the talented young center could work on moving forward.
“It’s got to be a collective deal. I like the things he’s doing,” Spoelstra stated. “Everybody on the outside will notice the stats. He’s doing winning things. And it’s not always just about the stats, but he’s come a long way. He’s improving. I want him to play with confidence.”
“There’s some tough nuance stuff when he’s guarding Josh Hart. He’s a great cutter, tracks down loose balls, but Kel’el is improving vastly.”
As Erik Spoelstra noted, Ware has shown notable improvement this season. After fielding much constructive criticism from his head coach, Ware appears to have turned a corner.
The 21-year-old was one of Miami’s best players on Sunday night. He posted a team-high 28 points to go with 19 rebounds and a steal while shooting 11-of-15 from the field. Kel’el Ware was vital in getting Miami’s scoring going early in the game. Having played a vital role in spurring the team’s comeback attempt late in the fourth, he is developing into a reliable and impactful player.
Ware’s development and contributions will be vital to the Heat’s plans moving forward. With great expectations of him, the 21-year-old could be destined for great things. Regardless, with another loss in the books, the Heat see their losing streak grow to two games.
