Head Coach Erik Spoelstra chatted live with fans on Thurs, May 1
NBAE/Getty Images
|
On April 28, Pat Riley announced that he decided to step down as Head Coach of the Miami HEAT but will continue to serve as team President, ending a Hall of Fame coaching career. On Monday, Managing General Partner Micky Arison and Riley jointly announced that Assistant Coach/Director of Scouting Erik Spoelstra has been elevated to Head Coach. Spoelstra becomes the sixth Head Coach in franchise history.
Coach Spoelstra chatted live with fans on Thursday, May 1. Check out the complete chat transcript below:
Jude - Atlanta: I am really excited that we have a new, and young head coach that has been with this franchise for many years. I was wondering what you are going to focus on first as being the new chief?
Erik Spoelstra: First, I have a list of things to do. One of the first priorities is contacting all the players and meeting them personally in the next few weeks. Then we have the draft, which is very important. I've been spending so much time on the NBA season that it will be key to transition into the college and international areas for the draft.
Brian: Eric Spolestra with a choice in the draft which player would be key to us derik rose or michael beasely or even Kevin love.
Erik Spoelstra: We have a couple of months to research that. At this point, it's too early to say and alot depends on where that lottery ball bounces. We'll do our due diligence and the history of the draft shows, you need to take the best player available. We think we have some good young players now and adding some more good young talent is the direction we want to take.
Sergio(miami): What is your philosophy on Offense, IS it more open or is it a slow down, high low type.
Erik Spoelstra: The most important thing will be the personnel we have. With guys like Dwyane, Dorell, Shawn Marion etc. we have an extremely quick and athletic group of guys and we want to take advantage of that. We'll want to attack early in the clock and let our athletes do what they do best. But ultimately it depends on our final personnell and we'll go from there.
Boca Raton: Coach, what will your personality bring to the team that is different than what Coach Riley's approach to the game was about?
Erik Spoelstra: I don't know if anything will be different, other than me being myself. I worked for Pat for many years and hold him in very high regard. I hope to bring the same enthusiasm and drive and energy to the task. I am a grinder, and I hope to bring that same personality that I had as an assistant to the head coaching chair.
philippines: how does it feel to be the youngest coach in the nba? And what advantages/disadvantages does that bring?
Erik Spoelstra: I don't know if there are any. I've been around the league and seen coaches who are older and some middle and some young and it all depends on the fit and the interactions with the team.
Hammonton, NJ: How is Wade's knee feeling? Do you expect him to regain his prior form by next season. I believe that any success the Heat will have next year is going to rely on Wade being 100 percent.
Erik Spoelstra: Absoolutely. Dwyane is working real hard getting healthy. A few nights ago as I was leaving the practice facility, Dwyane was still there, taking shots. He is working hard on his rehabilitation and hopefully he'll be healthy for the Olympics this summer and for us at the start of training camp.
Jared, FL: Since you were named Head Coach, has your phone blown up from calls from your friends and have you been able to return their calls with all that is going on?
Erik Spoelstra: Ha-ha. My phone and text and emails are flooded. It's been tough to keep up but the dust is settling and I'll be able to get back to people a little more consistently. My cell has never been this busy before.
Carl (Naples): Hey Coach,
Have you had any time to enjoy this year's playoffs so far? How do you handicap the East and West?
Erik Spoelstra: Hmmm. I have watched closely, there are some very compelling series already. The East has been great competitive basketball and the West. I'm not sure who'll come out of both conferences, but you can be sure I'll be watching.
Washington DC: What advice would you give to the young aspiring coaches in all sports today? And, is obtaining a master's degree important in obtaining a head coaching job in college? nba? or wnba?
Erik Spoelstra: First off, whatever job you have, stay in the moment you have in that job and do that specific job to the best of your ability. I've worn several different hats with the Heat over the years, and several of those jobs may not seem to be stepping stones to head coach. But you just put your head done and do your best and then opportunities can continue to arise. As far as masters, it never hurts to further your education. It depends on the situation. I've sometimes looked back and thought what would happen if I got a masters, but in my case, I don't think it's either hurt or helped me either way.
miami: do you think the heat are in the need of getting a big defensive center in order to have a title shot?
Erik Spoelstra: It always helps to have a big defensive center. I go by the name of Alonzo Mourning can help. Ha-ha. I saw Alonzo yesterday and he's rehabbing intently every single day, but he'll not be making a decision until later this summer. But, certainly a defensive presence around the basket is something we'll be addressing this summer.
Andy, Hollywood : What was your favorite and worst moment with the heat?
Erik Spoelstra: Easy. Very easy question. The NBA Championship was by far the best professional experience I've ever had. Particulary experiencing it with Coach Riley and all the other staff who had been through all those years together. The worst experience with the Heat, is no surprise, this season. But I hope we will be seeing some equivalent benefits in the future.
Gainesville: Do you believe that you can build a championship team around the current core of players (Wade, Marion and Haslem)?
Erik Spoelstra: Sure, we're very excited about our young, athletic core. We feel that if this summer we get a solid draft pick and make some moves in free agency that it can be the building blocks for something very exciting in Miami.
Erik Spoelstra: I'd like thank all the fans for your questions. Particularly the Miami fans for all your patience with the Heat this season. Your loyalty has been phenomenal and we are working real hard for great things to happen in the future.
