Highlights from Riley & Spoelstra

Pat Riley, owner Micky Arison and new coach Erik Spoelstra talked a little while ago at AmericanAirlines Arena and here are some of the more notable things to come out of the news conference. (See poll question below).

Riley said he really had no intention of fulfilling the final three years of his contract going into this past season. In Rilely's words, "I lied" he said Monday while laughing. He and Arison realized the questions needed to stop about his future so that's why Riley publically said he was commited to coaching for the duration of his contract.

Dwyane Wade called Coach Spo Sunday night to congratulate him and say he's excited about the future (Spo has worked a lot with Dwyane since he came here as a rookie and has a good relationship with the superstars down to the summer league players)

Riley said he put feelers out to three players on the coaching change, and though Riley wouldn't divulge names you'd think they were Dwyane, Alonzo Mourning and Udonis Haslem

We'll have a lot more in the coming days on the new Heat coach, both in the paper and on the blog, but first just wanted to find out what you think about Spoelstra.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Comments

[Avi]

You gotta like the move ... first and foremost he's wade's guy , he has the work ethic of riley but can relate to the sensitive players we now have in the nba ... riley will bring in his names and ppl won't be scared away by him anymore

[David]

Yup, I'm very happy with the decision to hire Spoelstra. The last thing I wanted was a retread.

Wade likes Spoelstra, he's young, and he's a Riley guy. Coaches that Riley has mentored have a very good track record (Jeff and Stan).

[ira winderman]

you going to comment after each game like the sentinel does?

[heatstroked]

/We'll have a lot more in the coming days on the new Heat coach, both in the paper and on the blog, but first just wanted to find out what you think about Spoelstra./

now more than ever, as wade goes, so goes spoelstra -- and the heat.

but as resumes go, spoelstra's is even lighter than frank's. frank had a broader range of exposure + experience to other systems & player-management philosophies at the pro (grizzlies) and collegiate (marquette, tennessee) levels before his gig with the nets. spoelstra's player-coach stint in germany aside, spoelstra's entire "coaching" experience has been confined to the heat.

that said, riley wouldn't throw spoelstra to the wolves if he didn't believe spoelstra had *all* the tools to succeed, including an ability to manage fragile egos & temperamental stars. but managing player practices isn't quite the same as managing game-to-game pressure -- or their consequences.

an early preview of "erik's world" would be spoelstra's recent management of heat summer league teams. those teams haven't exactly excelled nor have they entirely sucked. talent, or the lack thereof, always plays a big part. however, the trademark of exceptional coaches is an ability to get more from less, as riley often squeezed from the likes of austin, crotty, askins, lenard etc.

other obvious factors to monitor include how long or to what degree riley will impose his identity *through* spoelstra until spoelstra acquires his own and, spoelstra's evolving relationship with wade given the latter's importance to spoelstra's promotion.

[Danny]

Well finally Riley has stepped down...that was the first step to rebuilding our team, hopefully now that we have a young coach..we'll scout younger guys in the draft and free agency an play em. I like the move next up NBA DRAFT

CMON ROSE!!!!

[Phil Herman]

I wonder if this will change Riley`s recruiting style of having no tough minded, fundamentally sound foreigners--as most all successfull teams have?

[Phil Herman]

I wonder if this will change Riley`s recruiting style of having no tough minded, fundamentally sound foreigners--as most all successfull teams have?

[Canatic]

I am curious as to why Bob Mcadoo wasn't chosen. He has been with the organization an awfully long time. Can anyone shed some light on that for me please?

[Kiara]

Well, we knew this change would happen. And, I cant say that I am mad at it. BUT, like some. I am wondering why Mcadoo was not the first choice?

[Dan G.]

I am curious if Spoelstra is willing/able to coach an uptempo style of ball that the current make-up of the roster seems to demand?

[Tracy Towle]

I am very excited for the Miami Heat's future. It is a wonderful and inspiring story of why it is always best to work hard, have faith and believe in yourself and others. Spoelstra started with the Heat in 1995 making videos for the team Christmas party and is now the head coach.

Let's hope the Heat has their best season ever now that Coach Spoelstra is in charge. Congratulations to Pat Riley on an incredible career and kudos to everyone in the Heat organization who made the decision to make Erik Spoelstra the new head coach!