Miami Heat: A look into head coach Erik Spoelstra’s thoughts on the year

With their 2017-18 season officially coming to an end, the Miami Heat held their exit interviews on Friday, April 27.

Five games into the 2018 NBA Playoffs, and it was over for the Miami Heat. The Philadelphia 76ers took the series 4-1, launching head coach Erik Spoelstra’s team into the offseason.

Still, Spoelstra seemed pretty happy with his group, as he spoke on the year during Friday’s exit interviews.

Mission accomplished?

The Heat missed out on last year’s postseason, and vowed not to let history repeat itself. So despite a first-round exit, Miami met its goal.

"“The most important thing for this group was to get in the playoffs, to have this experience, ” said Spoelstra. “It was so important for our guys to go through all the experiences we went through to get in, to fight for it, to earn it and then to experience how difficult and challenging it is in the playoffs.”"

And a challenge it was. Between Hassan Whiteside‘s struggles, losing both home contests and being unable to push a Game 6, some fans believe the team underperformed. But despite the earlier-than-desired elimination, Spoelstra believes there were valuable lessons learned.

"“Oftentimes through these kind of pains, these kind of adversities, we grow to the next level from here. So, I love this team. I loved the journey of this season regardless of what happened at the very end.”"

What comes next?

This summer is sure to be an interesting one for the Heat, considering the types of contracts the organization has on its hands. And questions of what the future holds for the team are already starting to arise.

Will Whiteside be traded? Does Justise Winslow deserve a contract extension? Should Tyler Johnson be moved before the third year of his deal begins? What will happen to Wayne Ellington?

All valid topics of concern, but none of which Spoelstra really addressed during his exit interview.

"“We see progress, we see growth. Expectations do not scare us. What the opinion is on the outside, how rational or irrational people may think we are, we don’t care. We think we have a group that can contend.”"

So Heat Nation will have to wait a little longer for some answers.

The Whiteside Dilemma 

The biggest narrative coming out of Miami this year has involved Whiteside. An area of interest that only intensified after the center’s lackluster playoff run. And while his future is still up in the air, for now, Spoelstra continues to have his back.

"“That’s probably what I’ll look back on as most frustrating is what could have been if he didn’t collide with [Nikola] Vucevic… It’s just one of those seasons that never felt like he was able to fully be healthy and ready to give like he was in that first game.”"

That first game being Whiteside’s 26-point, 22-rebound 2017-18 debut.

Always a class-act, Spoelstra is ready to leave the Whiteside drama behind though.

"“In two weeks, nobody will be talking about that… There’s going to be heroes. There’s going to people place blame on. None of it is fair. That’s just the way it is, and we can help him through that process.”"

So perhaps the big man will remain in the 305 after all?

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The Miami Heat’s season may have come to an end, but fans should certainly buckle up for the offseason.