IN TODAY’S MIAMI HERALD: Our reimagined newspaper features an in-depth look at Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra — the two have formed the most successful executive-head coach partnership in South Florida sports history, making the Miami Heat our state-of-the-art pro franchise. 🧵 
The relentless competitiveness of the Heat and Spoelstra’s longevity are themselves marvels. Only Don Shula’s 26 seasons as Dolphins head coach top Spoelstra’s continuing run in this market’s pro sports history. Riley had 10. miamiherald.com/sports/spt-col…
When Spoelstra last month was named among the NBA’s 15 greatest coaches of all time as part of the league’s 75th anniversary (Riley was on it, too, of course), it affirmed everything his mentor believed about what made Spoelstra special.
It’s something Riley saw early on — way back in the 2005-06 season during a film session before an off-day practice.
The then young assistant Spoelstra brought in the video of the previous game that he had produced, as usual, then stepped aside for then coach Riley to go over it with the team. As usual.
“You handle the video,” Riley suddenly told Spoelstra, with no prior notice.
“You handle the video,” Riley suddenly told Spoelstra, with no prior notice.
In the rows of chairs sat a young @ThisIsUD and budding superstar @DwyaneWade. Veterans such as @iamzo33, @WalkerAntoine8 and @GaryPayton were staring at the young assistant.
Sitting front row-center, as he always did: a larger-than-life @SHAQ.
Sitting front row-center, as he always did: a larger-than-life @SHAQ.
@ThisIsUD @DwyaneWade @iamzo33 @WalkerAntoine8 @GaryPayton @SHAQ “He was brilliant,” Riley recalled. “The players all sat up straight and showed him respect, and he did not fumble.”
Afterward the team cheered and swarmed to pat Spoelstra on the back, then left for the practice court.
Afterward the team cheered and swarmed to pat Spoelstra on the back, then left for the practice court.
@ThisIsUD @DwyaneWade @iamzo33 @WalkerAntoine8 @GaryPayton @SHAQ “Sometimes you have to stand up in front of those guys,” Riley told him that day. “Welcome to the first step of coaching.”
Looking back now: “That’s when he became a part of the inner circle,” says Riley, now club president.
Looking back now: “That’s when he became a part of the inner circle,” says Riley, now club president.
@ThisIsUD @DwyaneWade @iamzo33 @WalkerAntoine8 @GaryPayton @SHAQ Spoelstra, after a long climb of 13 years with the organization, would be head coach two years later.
He still is today, in his 14th season, five NBA Finals appearances and two championships as head coach in his pocket, and with his team currently atop the Eastern Conference
He still is today, in his 14th season, five NBA Finals appearances and two championships as head coach in his pocket, and with his team currently atop the Eastern Conference
@ThisIsUD @DwyaneWade @iamzo33 @WalkerAntoine8 @GaryPayton @SHAQ The dynamic between Riley and Spoelstra, now 51, is multifaceted. It is mentor-student, Zen master and protégé, Godfather and consigliere.
“Father-son,” Riley offers.
“Father-son,” Riley offers.
@ThisIsUD @DwyaneWade @iamzo33 @WalkerAntoine8 @GaryPayton @SHAQ Spoelstra has missed two games in 14 years, for the birth of his first son, Santiago, in 2018, and his second, Dante, in 2019.
In surpassing Riley as the Heat’s all-time winningest coach, Spoelstra’s teams are so consistently good it’s easy to take him for granted.
In surpassing Riley as the Heat’s all-time winningest coach, Spoelstra’s teams are so consistently good it’s easy to take him for granted.
@ThisIsUD @DwyaneWade @iamzo33 @WalkerAntoine8 @GaryPayton @SHAQ This season he has Miami leading the East despite an injury-wracked season in which his top three players have missed 61 combined games.
Now, with better health and Victor Oladipo back and the playoffs looming ever closer, “Coach is gonna have to get to a rotation,” says Riley.
Now, with better health and Victor Oladipo back and the playoffs looming ever closer, “Coach is gonna have to get to a rotation,” says Riley.
@ThisIsUD @DwyaneWade @iamzo33 @WalkerAntoine8 @GaryPayton @SHAQ “People are bored with Spo’s greatness,” as the icon Wade puts it. “Right now you’re talking about Coach of the Year. If there’s any year he has shown he can coach his face off, it’s this year.”
@ThisIsUD @DwyaneWade @iamzo33 @WalkerAntoine8 @GaryPayton @SHAQ Erik Spoelstra’s Heat career: From video coordinator to one of NBA’s best coaches. miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia…
@ThisIsUD @DwyaneWade @iamzo33 @WalkerAntoine8 @GaryPayton @SHAQ Pat Riley’s Heat career: From coaching to executive, a winning culture. miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia…
@ThisIsUD @DwyaneWade @iamzo33 @WalkerAntoine8 @GaryPayton @SHAQ Visit our website or eEdition to read more.
You can find all of our coverage here: miamiherald.com/e-edition/today
You can find all of our coverage here: miamiherald.com/e-edition/today
@ThisIsUD @DwyaneWade @iamzo33 @WalkerAntoine8 @GaryPayton @SHAQ We invite you to take a look at the reimagined Miami Herald, and consider supporting local journalists with a subscription: account.miamiherald.com/subscribe
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