If it wasn't already clear before, Erik Spoelstra is expecting big things from Giannis Antetokounmpo as he prepares for his first season with the Miami Heat. He didn't mince any words when speaking about the expectations for this upcoming season.
“We also want to be open to the possibilities of change. That includes us changing as necessary to make sure we’re bringing out the best in him. — This ends up being a symbolic relationship. Hopefully we’re bringing out the best in him. Hopefully he’s bringing out the best in our organization. There will be a process, we’ll have to work through that. I’ve been at this a long time and I have never hit bullseye on the first day of training camp.”
The one part of these comments that should truly stick out to Heat fans is this one: "This ends up being a symbolic relationship. Hopefully we’re bringing out the best in him. Hopefully he’s bringing out the best in our organization."
As Giannis prepares for this new chapter of his career, there is no debating that the bar has been set quite high.
Erik Spoelstra is now hiding away from huge expectations with Giannis
Spo is expecting the best out of both the Heat organization and Giannis. Considering the players that have come through Miami's franchise over the last few decades, that's saying a lot. To think that Giannis has the potential to be on the same tier (along with similar expectations) as the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Shaquille O'Neal says a lot.
It's raised the bar. And Spo is not hiding away from that reality.
After being a Play-In Tournament team for the past four seasons, the expectations for the Heat are back where they should be. Even though their roster is still incomplete, it's officially back to championship-or-bust expectations for the Heat.
Giannis is the big reason why.
Erik Spoelstra will be under as much pressure as Giannis
But the pressure isn't just on Giannis to help resurrect the Heat franchise from mediocrity. There's also added pressure on Spo and the Heat to get the best out of Giannis. Over the past couple of decades, the Heat has found ways to get the best years out of superstars like Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Jimmy Butler.
Not to mention the numerous other role players who had their best seasons in a Heat uniform.
Miami has made it a habit to get the most out of players, especially those at a star level. Even at the ripe age of 32, that's still going to be the expectation for Giannis in Miami. That means Spo will need to be at his best as he attempts to put Giannis in the best position to succeed.
In many ways, the bar has been set high for both Giannis and the Heat. But that shouldn't come as a huge surprise. It's finally great to hear that from the man who is expected to navigate through it all. Spo seems up for the task.
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