Despite Tuesday’s loss, there were positive takeaways from the performances of the Heat’s 2024 draft picks, as highlighted by Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel.
First-round selection Kel’el Ware and second-round pick Pelle Larsson contributed during a spirited fourth-quarter comeback attempt that nearly erased a 22-point deficit.
Larsson logged 22 minutes off the bench – more than any other Heat reserve – scoring eight points, while Ware, in approximately nine minutes of play, recorded a +11 plus-minus rating, a testament to his impact during his limited time on the floor.
“I like both of their processes right now,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra remarked. “They’ve committed to all the player development. They don’t look at us crazy, with what we have on their schedule every single day.
“Pelle’s been getting the minutes, so he’s been able to show that to everybody else. But Kel’el’s been doing that behind the scenes, so he’s been showing the staff and his teammates.”
The strong performances of the rookies underline their growth and willingness to embrace the team’s rigorous developmental approach.
While Larsson has had more opportunities to display his skills in games, Spoelstra pointed out that Ware has been making significant progress during practice and behind-the-scenes work, earning respect from both coaches and teammates.
Has Terry Rozier become the Heat's sixth man? https://t.co/toPNeVtK0U
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 28, 2024
