Bam Adebayo admits Kel’el Ware ‘sometimes ignores’ Erik Spoelstra

MIAMI – Like The Miami Heat defeated the Houston Rockets in a huge victory on Saturday night, 115-105, provided another example Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware duo sets positive minutes. While it is A captain in Adebayo looks set to lead the franchise to new heights, Ware could be part of that puzzle as their relationship grows stronger, which leaves the head coaching question Erik Spoelstra.

The duo of Adebayo and Ware was one that fans saw as a future permanent fixture in the lineup, despite their mediocre results this season. Through the first four months of the season, that has led to a pedestrian game, with Spoelstra moving away from the two-court duo, other than using him here and there.

February would see good minutes with them, but the duo won’t see much action until Saturday against the Rockets, who are playing long players. Miami would outscore Houston by 21 points in 16 minutes played together on Saturday, leading to Adebayo talking about a positive time.

He would even say Ver listens to him, like he could “sometimes” ignore it Spoelstra.

“I want the big guy to be there, I feel like he’s listening to me. He kind of ignores Spo sometimes,” Adebayo said with a smile as he had 24 points and 11 rebounds in the win. “But I’ve invested so much with him. During the summer, he’s up with me at 6 a.m. And with everything we’ve been playing, he’s listening, he wants to learn. He wants to be out there. Obviously, he’s got to earn his minutes. But when he’s out there with me, I feel like he’s definitely getting better.”

Bam Adebayo talked about dueling on the court with Kel’el Ware. He says he brought energy as Spo challenged him in passing.

The second video talks about a relationship.

“I feel like he listens to me, sometimes, kind of ignores Spo,” Adebayo said while smiling. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/HpPiITI23G

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 1, 2026

Heat’s Kel’el Ware on ‘brotherhood’ with Bama Adebayo

With Frustrations with the heat are growing as they’ve been up and down this season, trying to climb out of eighth-seeded purgatory and play in the tournament, utilizing the Adebayo-Ware duo could be key. Whether Adebayo’s comments were made in jest at the expense of Ware and Spoelstra is in the eye of the beholder, but it would make sense as the captain is in the shoes of the young center, as the 22-year-old spoke about the relationship.

“It’s like a brotherhood,” Ware said as he had 13 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. “He’s been through this before, he’s been through Coach Spo before. So, you know, I’m just listening to him because he’s a player too. He’s in the game with me, he’s going through the same thing that I’m going through.”

“It was good,” Ware continued when asked about how it felt to be there with Adebayo. “It felt like the days I played with him recently. So, I mean, it was good.”

Spoelstra would talk about how impactful both were in their zone defenses, noting Ware’s outing as “be one of his better jobs in the zone,” in addition to other features.

Kel’el Ware talks about his productive outing, especially in plus minutes with Bama Adebayo. It also talks about their relationship. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/vJF3MKSFt0B

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 1, 2026

Erik Spoelstra on a very encouraging outing from Kel’el Ware, especially when he was on the floor with Bama Adebayo. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/LzH8IM0avr

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 1, 2026

It remains to be seen if Adebayo and Ware’s minutes together will continue in Tuesday’s next game against the Brooklyn Nets.