Miami Heat re-sign head coach Erik Spoelstra – NBA Update
Erik Spoelstra, the Miami Heat coach, had been in uncertain waters throughout the off season, the reason being his expiring contract with the franchise this year. The issue had become so pronounced that Spoelstra had to shrug it
off in the media just days ago.
However, on Friday night, the way Heat president Pat Riley announced the re-signing of the 41 year old coach, it seemed that Spoelstra had the job secure all the time and in fact it were the Heat, who were fretting over his availability.
"We have one of the great young coaches in the league and (he) is an absolute member of this family," Heat president Pat Riley said. "He's the perfect coach for this team now. The reason why we did it was to extend him and keep
him in the family and (not) have somebody come steal him away from us."
Spoelstra, one of the youngest coaches in the history of NBA has been with the franchise for nearly two decades. He started off as a video coordinator and 17 years down the lane, he is coaching one of the most dominant combinations
of players ever formed in NBA. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are part of the best perimeter duo since the great Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen and Chris Bosh is a game changer in his own right.
However, tackling so many superstars (with inflated egos) can be tough task for any coach and Spoelstra, a third year head coach, had to face the music last season. There were reports of tiff between James and Spoelstra early last
season when the things were not going in the right direction. The uneasiness prevailed throughout the regular season, before Spoelstra ultimately managed to define the roles for the three superstars in the playoffs.
All of a sudden, Miami became unstoppable, beating Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, and were the favourites entering the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. Things however took a turn for a worse Spoelstra and Heat in the
Finals. LeBron James diminished as a player and even with more aces up his sleeve; Spoelstra was outmanoeuvred by Rick Carlisle, the Mavs coach.
The finals meltdown opened a barrage of criticism on Spoelstra and rumours were rife that the American- Filipino coach has prepared himself for an axe this season.
Riley however, sees a winner in Spoelstra;
"He wouldn't have been a lame-duck coach even though (the media) would've made him one," Riley said. "We want him to become a Hall of a Famer."
The announcement comes just at the right time for the Heat. With just 8 days to go before they take on the Mavs in the season opener, the South Beach franchise can now focus more on the basketball.eat
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