Just 8 minutes and 30 seconds in six games. This is the total spent on the field by Kel'el Warethe rookie pivot of the Heat, since the start of the regular season. Impressive in Summer League, the 15th choice from the last Draft is currently stuck on the bench of his team, behind Bam Adebayo and Thomas Bryant.
“I don’t control what the coach does”, he responds to the Miami Herald on this start of his career. “So no matter when Coach Spo decides to put me on the field, I'll have to be ready. »
With the return of Kevin Love to the group, the opportunities for the former Indiana Hoosiers could further reduce. However, with his height (2m13) and his wingspan (2m30), he has the assets to be an intimidator near the circle, a profile that is lacking in Florida. Provided you use it in the team's defensive mold…
Still too light?
“My offense is ahead (of the defense) as I master my game and what I can do. But I am also progressing in defense. Simply in being able to protect the rim, make better reads, touch more balls, intercept. I think I will become stronger in attack and defense” he assures.
Even if he doesn't play him, Erik Spoelstra still notes the progress of his rookie, who lifts weight to reach the 109 kilos set by the club during the summer.
“He is progressing” assures and repeats the Miami coach. “He is progressing in the weight room, he is progressing in training. I'm really happy with his progress. »
Will he have to go to the G-League to get playing time? For the moment, that doesn't seem to be the plan and Bam Adebayo, who also had to wait behind Hassan Whiteside when he arrived in the NBA, notably with 9 “DNPs” during his first 19 outings, simply encourages him to work waiting for his time to arrive.
“You have to be patient, man”explains the holder on what he can say to his young teammate to help him during this period. “That’s the best advice I can give him. Although patience is the hardest thing to practice, because we don't know when our moment will arrive. »
