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Erik Spoelstra blasted for disrespecting ‘one of the most exciting’ Miami Heat stars, ‘what is the problem…’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 11:34 AM ET

David Jacoby called out Erik Spoelstra for taking a very harsh approach to one of his most talented young stars on the Miami Heat.

This Miami Heat season is an opportunity for them to develop their exciting young prospects into bona fide NBA stars.

Head coach Erik Spoelstra has demanded Nikola Jovic improve in key aspects of his game, despite his massive improvement this summer.

The same went for Jaime Jaquez Jr., whom Spoelstra pushed to overcome his biggest weaknesses to unlock his potential even further.

But the most interesting of these was Spoelstra lambasting Kel’el Ware for his box score, despite his strong numbers. And one NBA analyst cannot understand why he is doing this.

Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

David Jacoby slams Erik Spoelstra for disrespecting Kel’el Ware regularly

David Jacoby went off on Erik Spoelstra and the Miami Heat coaching staff for their recent treatment of Kel’el Ware.

Jacoby referenced Spoelstra challenging Kel’el Ware to be better, even after he put up solid numbers, and questioned why they keep undermining him despite his talent and performances.

“Why don’t you play Kel’el Ware more?… I just don’t understand what this coaching staff has against Kel’el Ware.

“It seems like Spoelstra, given any opportunity, just disrespects him and calls out his impact and his work ethic…

“He played his face off. After the game, Spoelstra says that his plus/minus was -21… What is the problem the Miami Heat have with Kel’el Ware?

“To me, he’s one of the most exciting, potentially fantastic young basketball players in the league, and they won’t put him on the floor.

Erik Spoelstra demands excellence from his players at all times, Kel’el Ware is no different

While Jacoby’s frustrations are understandable, the Miami Heat have always operated this way. Good is never good enough – Spoelstra wants his players to be consistently great.

And so far, Ware has answered the challenge brilliantly, putting up strong numbers in his preseason outings.

If the Heat players don’t really have a problem with Spoelstra’s tough love approach, then the rest of the NBA world has no choice but to accept the madness behind his method.

Ware, Jovic, and Jaquez Jr. are the Heat’s young core, along with new arrival Kasparas Jakucionis, whose chemistry with Ware is already a big highlight.

If the Heat are able to properly develop these players in the weeks and months to come, they will be in a solid position for the rest of the decade.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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