Erik Spoelstra Faces Harsh Criticism After Elimination
Last night, the Miami Heat were eliminated from the 2014-2015 NBA Playoffs. And while most have come to terms with it, understanding that the organization simply could not keep up with all of the injuries and roster changes, others have started to look for who to place the blame on.
More from All U Can Heat
- Grade the Trade: Heat grab Trae Young in shocking proposal
- NBA 2K24 Ratings: Takeaways and reactions to Miami Heat player ratings
- 4 Teams that should trade for Tyler Herro
- Miami Heat’s Nikola Jovic gives entire world reason to love him
- 1 Advantage the Heat have over every Southeast Division team
For instance, ESPN’s Chris Broussard recently expressed his less-than-favorable opinion on Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. Broussard, who is known for never being afraid to speak his mind, went on the Marc Hochman Show with Zach Krantz on 560 WQAM and commented on Miami’s elimination.
"“I know they had injuries but even with the injuries that’s a team that should’ve been in the playoffs. I’m sorry… Erik Spoelstra still has yet to prove to me — even with his championships — that he’s a great coach,” he said. “I haven’t seen enough to tell me he’s a great coach yet. I think there’s tons of coaches that could’ve gotten that team to four straight NBA Finals [and] win two. I don’t think he’s a bad coach but I haven’t seen enough to say he’s a great guy whose job should never be in jeopardy.”"
This is the first time as head coach that Spoelstra will not be heading into the postseason.
More from Heat News
- NBA 2K24 Ratings: Takeaways and reactions to Miami Heat player ratings
- Miami Heat’s Nikola Jovic gives entire world reason to love him
- 1 Advantage the Heat have over every Southeast Division team
- Three former first-round picks the Miami Heat should take a chance on
- Former NBA exec says Trail Blazers should take Heat’s Tyler Herro in Damian Lillard trade
Broussard did not just undermine Spoelstra however. He also had a few words to say about the Big Three and their so-called success.
"“Look, they won two championships, they reached four straight Finals, which is somewhat historic, but it wasn’t an all-time great team,” he explained. “I mean they just didn’t live up to it. “And they caught a lot of breaks. They caught a ton of breaks. I mean Derrick Rose getting hurt in their second season together, that’s a huge break. Boston was old. I mean who’d they really go through?”"
Broussard is clearly still living in the past when the Heat were the league’s villains, but regardless he will not be alone in choosing a scapegoat for Miami’s disastrous season. It is only a matter of time before reports of Dwyane Wade not “having tried hard enough” or Luol Deng not “transitioning into his role properly” will start to surface.
But of course, as is the case with any leader, Spoelstra will take the hit first. And as large of a personality as Broussard has become, he may gain some traction on the topic too.
How do you feel about Spoelstra? Sound off in the comment section below!