The Miami Heat head coach, Erik Spoelstra, has been with the organization a quarter-century. Here’s our 3 biggest moments for the youthful-looking coach.
The Miami Heat have a good one in Erik Spoelstra, at the very least, but a great one if we are being totally honest. Although from somewhat humble beginnings, as far as where he started in the Miami Heat organization, he has worked his way up into the role that he now seems to have been destined for all the while.
As the all too familiar story that we all know goes, he started with the Miami Heat as a video coordinator, before ultimately working his way all the way to the top. He was groomed and seemingly handpicked by the Godfather, Pat Riley, for just that role.
That is where our list starts though. Here is our list for the three biggest moments in Erik Spoelstra’s career, thus far.
1. Being Promoted To Head Coach
Just two seasons before LeBron James and the Big 3 era would take over Miami, the NBA, and the sports world in general, Erik Spoelstra would begin his tenure as the Miami Heat head coach. Going a combined record of 90-74 in the two seasons prior to the inception of the Big 3, he wasn’t a great coach yet, but the makings were there.
While the following seasons would be grand in their own rights, the immediate period before his tenure was just as interesting. Here is what Spoelstra had to say on how he found out he had gotten the head coaching job. The quotes come from an #NBATogether interview with Ernie Johnson, via rappler.
"“It would probably be as you imagine – like a Godfather scene,” said Spoelstra. “He brought me in after that season on Saturday and the lights were down, I would sit on the other side of desk of him, I can barely make out his face but he could see me.“He said ‘Hey I’m done. You know this day was coming, and you’re ready for it. This is going to be like you’re up on a bird’s nest and I’m just gonna push you off the branch and you’re gonna figure out how to fly.’”"
Those were the words that would solidify this as the biggest moment of his career thus far. This was the instance in which he found out that he would be becoming the next head coach of the Miami Heat.
2. The Infamous Pep Rally
While it may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, this was actually a very pivotal moment in the career of Erik Spoelstra as well.
While he had already been the head coach of the Miami Heat for two seasons prior, this announcement, this team, the coming media onslaught, and the coming seasons would surely thrust him into a spotlight unlike anything he had ever seen before.
Spoelstra came out on the other side of it just as shiny as he went in. As a matter of fact, he came out better, but that’s the third biggest moment.
3. Winning the second title of the Big 3 Era
The first title was glorious enough, but many would say that it was supposed to happen, considering they had the team and the talent that they had. As with anything though, repeating something to the same exact set of excellent results would be the real test.
That is just what happened for Erik Spoelstra and his Miami Heat. Although a third would have been absolutely amazing, by getting two, he proved that he actually played a major part in the whole thing, while actually proving that he was one heck of a coach along the way.
Again, with that talent, you were supposed to win at least one title, if not multiple. However, doing it is easier than saying it, so when he helped them attain the second championship, it was all but solidified that Erik Spoelstra was one of the best coaches in the entire NBA. That is why this is the third biggest moment of his career so far.
Look, in the grand scheme of things, Spo is still a young man. With that in mind and as we have mentioned throughout this piece, these are just the biggest moments, so far. We look forward to getting back to the NBA and Miami Heat basketball so that we may be able to watch him outdo these that we have mentioned.