Erik Spoelstra was handed the reins to the Miami Heat after his mentor, Pat Riley, decided to step down from coaching after 11 seasons as the Heat’s coach. When he stepped down, Riley called Spoelstra a “man that was born to coach.”
More than 13 seasons, 645 wins, two NBA titles and now two chances to coach an All-Star Game later, Riley was proven right. When the NBA named its top 15 coaches of all time as part of its 75th anniversary celebration, Spoelstra was on the list — along with Riley.
“I was caught off-guard,” Spoelstra said. “I’m very humbled by that. It also makes me very uncomfortable. Again, I just go to the gratitude for our organization and the leadership with the Arisons and for Pat’s guidance and mentorship to me. I started out in the organization as a 24-year-old kid, and they’ve really mentored me and guided me through this business. I’m just very grateful for all the experiences with the organization and in this league.”
Spoelstra has compiled a 645-445 record through 13 and a half seasons at the helm in Miami. He won back-to-back titles in the Heat’s “Big Three” era, coaching all-time greats LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, then reshaped the team back into a winner after the three stars departed Miami.
Miami is currently tied for first place in the Eastern Conference with a 38-21 record.
“The longer you’re in this business, the more you’re just constantly reminded and realize how difficult it is,” Spoelstra said. “It’s hard to win in this league. It’s hard to be at the top of the conference at any time, and you don’t want to take those moments for granted.”
Coaching Team Durant at the All-Star Game in Cleveland this weekend, Spoelstra has the opportunity to work with a group of players he normally sees on the opposing bench.
“Great coach, you already know his whole history,” Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball said. “Just everything he does. To be able to play for him is a blessing.”
Although Spoelstra acknowledges considering himself among the all-time great coaches makes him uncomfortable, for those around the Heat organization, it’s evident.
“You just see it every day with some of the things that he’ll do or his approach to practice,” Heat video coordinator Dan Bissacio said.
“Not only just his discipline or whatever but just how he’s so detailed and he goes about his daily work, whether that’s on the court or that’s just helping us. But then I think even more so, one of the coolest things about him is his ability to boost others [and] really give them an opportunity. For Malik [Allen] and Chris Quinn, they’re able to get things because coach Spo will allow them to do things in practice.”
Bissacio said he frequently has moments where he’s struck by Spoelstra’s thought processes.
“That happens daily,” Bissacio said. “There’s a lot of times where — again, I’ve been with the Heat for eight years — and I can kind of guess what the next day is going to be. I can say, ‘OK, we just had a bad loss,’ or this happened, and so I think this approach.
“There’s some of these days where he just comes in and he totally flips the script and it’s the absolute right call. I’m just sitting there and in my head, I’m like, ‘Yup, that’s why he is who he is. He’s one of the best coaches.’ ”
Spoelstra’s coaching plaudits extend beyond the Heat organization. He has played a key role in working with USA Basketball. He coached the USA Select Team in 2021 and will be an assistant coach for the 2022-24 team (along with fellow All-Star coach Monty Williams from the Phoenix Suns).
“He’s a really good coach,” said New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin, who was on the USA Select Team under Spoelstra in 2021. “When I went out there, I learned a lot. He taught me a couple of things when I was out there. And we just went out there and had fun. Great guy, he loves players.”
In his own organization, Spoelstra’s players know what his legacy will be when he decides he is done with coaching. In the meantime, there’s more work to do.
“Definitely a champion,” Heat forward Jimmy Butler said.
“He’s going to be one of the most winningest coaches. Because that’s what he sits there and preaches all the time is how important it is to win. He’s always trying to put five guys on the floor, even when somebody’s out, drawing up plays to fit them so they can win. So there’s a lot more winning in his future, and it’s probably going to be for the Heat. So a lot more winning in the Miami Heat’s future.”
