Former NBA Champion Shaquille O’Neal Recalls Inspirational Story of Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra

The Miami Heat are locked in the 2020 NBA Finals. They were the team that wanted it the most in the East, and here they are. Upon entering the bubble, the Heat drastically changed into title contenders. Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has been left impressed by how Miami’s head-coach Erik Spoelstra has inspired the team to reach the finals.

Coach Spo doesn’t always get the credit he deserves. He’s a silent mastermind who has been meticulously guiding the Heat for several years in the Eastern Conference, and his humble beginnings never fail to inspire. 

Shaquille O’Neal posted a photo on his Instagram account to refresh everyone’s memory on how hard Spoelstra has worked to make it to the position where he is at now. Back in 1995, the Miami Heat initially hired Spoelstra as a video coordinator! 

From that moment onwards, the man had to earn his way to enjoy success. He has indeed done a “great job” as Big Diesel Shaq wrote. Following his head coach promotion in 2008, Erik Spoelstra has led the team to five NBA finals, including four straight ones. 

Coach Spo boasts a 59.1% winning record over twelve seasons as head coach. He can be seen as a calm presence on the sidelines, but one can never count him out during crunch moments in the playoffs. He’s demonstrated his brilliance with title conquests and most recently, by knocking out favorites Bucks and Celtics from the playoffs. 

Can Erik Spoelstra lead the Miami Heat past their biggest challenge yet? 

The 2020 Miami Heat team has defied all odds to reach the NBA finals. From being a fifth-seeded team in the east to knocking out the favorites in dramatic fashion, the Heat have asserted their dominance in the NBA bubble. 

Jimmy Butler loves proving critics wrong but has admitted that he’s yet to face the biggest roadblock in the bubble. After closing out the ECF against Boston, Jimmy mentioned the notoriety of King James.

LeBron has been to nine different finals over the past decade, etching his name in the record books. In addition to it, the 35-year-old is on a mission to win his fourth ring. As a result, Butler is wary of taking up the LBJ challenge.

“The main key, and it has been like this for a very long time. If you want to win, you’re gonna have to go through a LeBron-led team. At the end of the day, that’s what it normally comes down to. That’s what we’re gonna focus on,” Butler mentioned. 

The Miami Heat have a healthy roster ahead of their finals clash with the Lakers. They’re a team full of players who all went down the order in the NBA draft. Furthermore, they have the services of Andre Iguodala, who will be making a record sixth straight finals appearance. 

Erik Spoelstra has a rich winning percentage when it comes to the postseason. Moreover, 2-2 Spoelstra’s finals record is also on the line in the bubble. Can coach Spo trump LeBron and guide the Heat to championship glory?