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Miami Heat: 3 goals for head coach Erik Spoelstra in 2018-19

By Jack Leniart

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Head Coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Head Coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 6: Head Coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 6: Head Coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

With the Miami Heat going into the 2018-19 season with more or less the same roster, it’s time for head coach Erik Spoelstra to set some goals.

Just over 10 years ago, it was announced that Erik Spoelstra would be the next head coach of the Miami Heat.

Spoelstra, who started his career in Miami as a video coordinator in the 1990’s, had some very big shoes to fill.  Shoes that were undoubtedly made from the finest Italian leather.

Yes, I’m talking about the shoes of legendary NBA Coach, Pat Riley.

Riley, affectionately referred to by Heat fans as “The Godfather,” was stepping down as head coach and taking his talents to the front office, to serve as team president.

In the offseason following that move, the organization decided that Spoelstra was going to be the next head coach of the team. At this point in time, the team just two years removed from their first ever championship. This showed just how much faith Riley and owner Micky Arison had in Spoelstra, despite his lack of head coaching experience.

Their faith in Spoelstra was rewarded by what was the most exciting free agent acquisitions in franchise history. That was followed up by four straight trips to the NBA Finals and two championships.

The Miami Heat are now at a crossroads.

Two players that are pillars of the franchise, Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem, are on the verge of retirement. The team is a bit handcuffed financially for the next couple of years. Riley also appears to be close to retirement as well.

One thing the team has going for them is consistency at head coach.

Spoelstra is currently the second-most tenured head coach in the NBA. The only coach ahead of him in that category is Gregg Popovich, who is fairly close to retirement.

Despite the pending departures from the team, the Heat could very well be one of the most attractive destinations in free agency, in a handful of years. They have a core of young players and a championship-caliber head coach that will soon be the most tenured coach in the NBA. On top of that, Miami has always been a desirable location due to weather, culture, and state tax benefits.

Things are set up nicely for the Heat to return to prominence in the near future.

The catalyst of that rebuild will be Spoelstra. While some fans might want to fast forward two or three years, we have no choice but to take this one season at a time. So, without further adieu, here are three goals for Spoelstra in the 2018-19 season.

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