How Kel’el Ware Maximizes Bam Adebayo’s Game
The Miami Heat selected Kel’el Ware with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Miami drafted Ware, wanting to add a versatile big man to compliment Bam Adebayo and bring him to the power forward position, where he has been vocal about more double big man lineups. Adebayo even said back during the offseason, “It would take a lot more off my plate to do other things…” Coach Erik Spoelstra got to see firsthand how well Bam can play those double big-man lineups when given the chance in the Olympics with Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid. Ware can stretch out to the three, block shots, and be a lob threat, which Bam has never had alongside him in his career.
Bam got off to a somewhat rough start this season, especially offensively, averaging 15.6 points, 10 rebounds, and four and a half assists with 45.5 field goal percentage before the lineup change. Since Ware was added to the starting lineup on January 21st till March 2nd, when he picked up an injury, Bam had averaged 20.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and four assists on 55.8 field goal percentage. Ware doesn't just bring out the best in Bam offensively; he helps defensively too, allowing him to roam around on defense and switch on to guards without having to worry about the paint. The lineup has been shaky at points, however, it has shown that Bam is built and ready to play the four in these double big lineups.
With Ware capable of stepping out to the three-point line, Bam has had more space to operate in the mid-range and around the rim. This has made the Heat’s pick-and-roll game for both of them more dangerous, as defenders are forced to respect Ware’s shooting and lob threat, giving Bam more clean looks. With him getting more clean looks in the mid-range, around the rim, and even at the three-point line, we saw his field goal percentage increase by 10% and his points per game by five. Being 6’11 is great for a power forward; this gives Bam the height advantage against almost any team he plays, resulting in these mid-season improvements and showing why these two maximize each other’s games. This combination of offensive spacing and defensive flexibility has added a new layer to Miami’s team in the hopes that this can be a duo for a long time.
