All U Can Heat
Fansided

The Good, Bad and Miami Heat Culture: Riley or Spoelstra to blame?

By Lauren Gewirtz

MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 02: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat checks his face for injury against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at American Airlines Arena on February 2, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 02: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat checks his face for injury against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at American Airlines Arena on February 2, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 27: Head Coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on against the New York Knicks on January 27, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 27: Head Coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat looks on against the New York Knicks on January 27, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Bad

Where to start? How about with a topic that has been hot in the past week or two on Twitter: Whether where the Heat are at right now — inconsistent, on a three-game losing streak — is Pat Riley or Erik Spoelstra’s fault?

I have seen people debate for or against both sides, but why can it not be both?

Riley is responsible for these monster contracts to players who, while I respect, were not the players that Riley needed to offer those kinds of contracts to. Instead, the focus should have been on players in free agency who could have helped this team become title contenders.

In short, Riley is responsible for the players on the roster. He is responsible for the team not having that the team can rely on that is at least close to an All-Star level. I am not on the get rid of Riley train, but something has to change or the Heat are going to be stuck in a cycle of mediocracy.

Spoelstra is responsible for the lineup woes and day-to-day struggles of this team. It is obvious that they are capable of winning, but the inconsistency is surpassing any good that this team has had. This entire season has been spent trying to fit the puzzle pieces of this team together, but do they even fit? From what we have seen in the past few weeks, it looks like a no.

Home/Heat News