(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat have something not many sports franchises have: Culture.
People have talked about that non-stop for years, and rightfully so, but the importance of building a strong culture and identity cannot be overlooked.
Pat Riley obviously has plenty to do with that, but so does Erik Spoelstra.
He’s established himself as one of the greatest tacticians this game has ever seen, and it’s about time people give him his flowers.
As shown by NBA on ESPN on Twitter, he’s now 10-3 in Game 2s after losing Game 1 of a playoff series, and that’s simply remarkable.
Erik Spoelstra is different pic.twitter.com/lMy2F4hW43
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 25, 2024
That’s even more impressive if you consider the fact that for most of his time in charge of the team, he hasn’t had a top-seed.
Granted, he did win two championships with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, but he’s managed to keep this team competitive regardless of who’s out there wearing that jersey.
Spoelstra has built his career from the ground up.
Pat Riley even decided to keep him despite LeBron James’ wishes, which only speaks volumes about his faith and belief in his young coach.
Now, he’s in a position to build a legacy there, just like Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs, and that’s the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come too often in today’s sports industry.
The Heat might not be at their best in the regular season.
But for as long as Erik Spoelstra is out there holding a clipboard, they’re going to be the last team you want to come across in a seven-game series.
The post Stat Shows Erik Spoelstra’s Impressive Record After Losing Game 1 In Payoffs appeared first on The Cold Wire.