via Getty
MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 20: Dwyane Wade address the crowd during a game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Providence Friars at the Fiserv Forum on January 20, 2019 in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
via Getty
MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 20: Dwyane Wade address the crowd during a game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Providence Friars at the Fiserv Forum on January 20, 2019 in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Dwyane Wade was part of the golden era of the Miami Heat when they won three championships in seven years. Heat’s legendary coach Pat Riley has been credited with revolutionizing the team in the past two decades, first as a coach, then as an executive. However, coach Erik Spoelstra has also been a part of the franchise since 1997 and was recently named one of the 15 best coaches in NBA history.
Erik Spoelstra has been the head coach of the Miami-based franchise since 2007 when Pat Riley left the position. Riley has played a major role in the building of the franchise in the past two decades. The Heat has been a dominant force in the league since Riley’s arrival in 1995. However, Erik has taken the baton from Riley comfortably.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 27, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra hands the Eastern Conference Championship trophy to forward Bam Adebayo (13) after defeating the Boston Celtics in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Erik Spoelstra helped the Heat win two back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012. For his achievements, he has been recently named among the 15 best coaches in NBA history as the league celebrates its 75th anniversary. Dwyane Wade was happy about Erik’s achievement and heaped praise on him.
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Dwyane Wade heaps massive praise on Erik Spoelstra for making it to top 15 coaches in NBA history list
Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade recently appeared on ‘NBA on TNT’. During the show, he reacted to the news of Erik making it to the top 15 coaches of all time. He admitted that Erik has improved upon the standard set by Riley and he’s proud of him.
“Spo and I had a relationship because he would be the guy who would work me out at the practice to help me learn how to shoot, how to play in an NBA game. And to see him go from there, first-year 2008 to now 2022, added to the list. I always say Pat Riley set the standard, but coach Spo improved on it. And you really see his DNA inside the organization. Now it’s not just a Pat Riley show,” Dwyane Wade said on TNT.
“I’m just so proud of him because he’s consistent. He does it every day.”
"I always say Pat Riley set the standard, but Coach Spo improved on it."@DwyaneWade on Erik Spoelstra being named as one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/ltT5yyfnn8
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 9, 2022
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Erik has been with Miami Heat since 1997 when he was appointed as the assistant coach of the team. He won the first championship of his career in 2006 as an assistant coach. However, in 2008, Pat Riley decided to step down as the coach and appointed Erik as the head coach.
La Spoelstra Nostra! https://t.co/Y2B5QJvdnD
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 7, 2022
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Erik then helped the Heat win two straight championships in the early 2020s. He played an important role in the rebuilding of the team after their stars such as Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, among others. He guided the Heat to the 2020 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Lakers. Due to the Heat’s performances this season, Erik Spoelstra will be among the two coaches in the All-Star game.
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