Miami Heat’s Coach Erik Spoelstra and LeBron James are bonding well after November bump – NBA Update
The Miami Heat has come a long way after Coach Erik Spoelstra and LeBron James collision back on November 27, 2010.
Since then the Heat are on the roll, as they finished the regular-season at the Number two spot in the Eastern Conference and snatched a 58-24 record. After the 10-8 start they also attained the most wins record of 15 by a franchise during December.
Now they are having a ball in the play-offs too. Miami have defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the first two games of the first-round play-off matchups and went 2-0 in the seven game series.
According to Spoelstra the team has came out unified from their early season struggles. That seems to have happened especially between him and James after the November incident. Subsequent to the Wednesday’s practice session Spoelstra stated that when James
bumped into him during a time-out in the Heat’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the whole media started swirling controversies about his coaching tenure.
Spoelstra stated that he had a conversation with James in early December regarding the swirling rumours of the incident and they were over it within that chat. However, it was reported that the two also met right after the November episode. Nevertheless,
Spoelstra said on Wednesday that the December meeting was the defining moment and since than they are maintaining a good relationship.
Erik said, "It was a reminder for both of us that we have to manage all the noise outside and keep it to what's real. The only things that matter are the people in the locker room. At the end of the day, a lot of the noise will be pointed in our direction.
And we needed to be able to manage that and not let it be a distraction."
The coach praised James’ ability to stay focused about his game, even after having so much of media scrutiny that always pursued Miami. Spoelstra said, "He's been a lightning rod. He's done a very good job of compartmentalizing all of that and to just be
a member of the team."
The Miami Heat is looking very strong in the play-offs as they face the Philadelphia 76ers. James is having one of his best National Basketball Association post-seasons and looks focused on taking his team to the Finals.
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