One of the NBA’s most astute and gifted head coaches is Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat.
However, he has only contributed a small portion of the team’s success throughout the years, and he attributes Miami’s tenacity and intensity to team president Pat Riley.
In an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, Spoelstra expressed his respect for Riley, stating that he truly established the team’s culture.
Riley is still fighting hard and has high expectations for the Heat, according to Spoelstra, who also said that he is in better shape than he has ever been.
He remarks, “This is the kind of workplace that I always dreamt about being part of,” and he enjoys working with Riley.
"This is the kind of workplace that I always dreamt about being part of."
HC Erik Spoelstra shares how much he admires Pat Riley
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Since the 2008–09 season, Spoelstra has been the Heat’s head coach.
He worked as Riley’s assistant prior to it, and the two became close.
These two had to collaborate because Riley left his job as head coach to take on the role of president of the Heat.
Regardless of how difficult the competition is, they get along well, share the same objectives, and want to lead the team to success.
Spoelstra claims that although Riley has a great belief in his players, he has high expectations for them.
He is eager for the new season to begin so they can demonstrate that they are still a formidable team and that they have what it takes to succeed in a conference that is getting harder to win.
Heat supporters hope this combo sticks together for many more years because they have achieved great success together.
The fact that Riley and Spoelstra are in charge ensures that the Heat are never completely written off, even when they aren’t playing well.
