Dwiane Wade, Udonis Haslem react to Erik Spoelstra’s Kel’el Ware comments

With The Miami Heat lost to the Boston Celtics on Thursday nightthere was an aspect that had fans questioning the head coach Erik Spoelstra in connection with the young star Kel’el Ware. The The Heat center would not play the second half of the loss to the Celticswhich led to some interesting thoughts from Spoelstra that caught the attention of the team’s legends Dwiane Wade and Udonis Haslem.

Speaking on “NBA on Prime,” both former players would comment on Spoelstra, saying Ware was “stacking the day in the wrong direction” and he wants to get back to how he acted seven to eight weeks ago. He would also say how with young players they can “subconsciously” play poorly to prove they need more minutes to play well, which would lead to Wade understanding the first partand has problems with the second one.

“The first part of the comment, I understand the step with understanding the days that need to go by for a young player,” Wade said. “The other part of it, I don’t understand the subconscious of saying I’m going to play bad. I don’t understand that. . . . The kid played so well earlier this year, where it looked like he was in the spotlight. So you hate to see us get here. But I don’t think he’s intentionally trying to play bad.”

Erik Spoelstra talked about not playing Kel’el Ware a minute in the second half, credits the matchup and talked about wanting him to be where he was 7, 8 weeks ago when he had his good days.

He says he’s going the other way. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/EKrdKSIf09o

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) January 16, 2026

Dwiane Wade on coach Spo comments that Kel’el Ware is “subconsciously playing bad” due to low minutes

“The first part I understand as key about understanding that the day should be complex for a young player. The second part I don’t understand subconsciously that I will play badly. … pic.twitter.com/k36ZKmk0lP

— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) January 16, 2026

Udonis Haslem on advice for Heat’s Kel’el Ware

As it was an improvement from the Heat’s big man in Wareinconsistencies also occurred, as shown in this current work. There was a point where Ware averaged over 15 points and 11 rebounds in 11 straight starts before this recent stretch, but that’s been a different role since the team got healthier with the return of Tyler Hero.

Haslem is someone who worked with Vera and is seen as his mentor. who talked about how frustrating it was it can be for a young player who doesn’t have the ability to control every aspect.

“But if you go out on the basketball court and play in a situation where you’re frustrated, where you’re not enjoying the game, when you’re not playing with joy, you’re not playing your minutes hard, you’re not giving that effort and energy, then you’re letting whatever those coaches or whoever says is right,” Haslem said.

Udonis Haslem comments on comments about Kel’el Ware on Coach’s Connection

“It makes absolutely no sense if that’s the case. What I’ll say to Kel’el and any young basketball player is there’s going to be so many things that are out of your control. I get that it’s frustrating, but if . . . https://t.co/av6idHBrAF pic.twitter.com/Hn4srGboI9

— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) January 16, 2026

It remains to be seen how Ware will improve over the course of the season, as his next opportunity begins Saturday night when 21-20 Miami takes on the Oklahoma City Thunder.