ASK IRA: Was final play in Houston a moment of truth for Heat’s Ware?
Q: My question is this: Where was Kel’el Ware at the time of need? He was put in the game to exactly what he did not do, box out. – Roland, Borrego Springs, Calif.
A: Actually, Kel’el Ware was put in a tough spot in the loss to the Rockets , also having to keep a body on Alperen Şengün, which he did. When you look at the video of the final play, of Amen Thompson’s putback, Kel’el Ware did get solid position against Şengün, keeping him positioned away from the rebound. But with the Heat (correctly) throwing the kitchen sink at Kevin Durant, it left open considerable real estate for Thompson.
What the Heat needed there was for Kel’el to simply get a hand or even a finger on the ball. But also look at where Pelle Larsson was on that final play, raising his hands as if in victory when Durant’s shot bounded off the rim, instead of remaining in chase mode. But the reality was Kel’el was so poor in his initial stint, that he stood practically unplayable in this one.
Inserting Ware, though, was the right move for the final play. It’s almost as if he tried to box out two players and boxed out none. Growing pains.
But he also was not alone in that failed final defensive possession. https://www. sun-sentinel.