The Miami Heat have locked up head coach Erik Spoelstra for the foreseeable future, as they attempt to build a contender once again
On the precipice of one of the most important seasons in Miami Heat recent history, it has been announced that the team and head coach Erik Spoelstra have agreed to a four-year contract extension.
In a vacuum, Spo is one of the NBA’s best coaches. Depending on who you ask, he’s unanimously in the top 10 head coaching rankings. He probably should be in the top 5, but as is always the case Spo has his naysayers – mostly, due to the fact that he coached two of the best players of this generation (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade).
He hasn’t had much success without those two players; then again, which head coach has success without star players on its roster?
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Nevertheless, it was both smart and necessary for the Heat to lock up Spo – who was reportedly entering the final year of his previous deal with the team. Which would’ve been quietly one of the biggest stories revolving the team this season, if that bit of information would’ve ever become public without this extension? Could you imagine?
Nevertheless, Spo has been locked up for the next five seasons (the final year of his current deal, and then four years after that).
"[via ESPN]Spoelstra, who would have been entering the final season of his deal, quietly negotiated a new contract that allows him to continue as the league’s second-longest-tenured active coach with one team, trailing only San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich."
Since LeBron’s exit from Miami, the Heat have only made the playoffs twice (in five years), but, in fairness, were ravaged by the Chris Bosh injury/illness retirement saga and then were stuck in mediocrity for the better part of the last three seasons.
Now, however, after adding Jimmy Butler during the offseason, there is hope again surrounding this Heat team. With the Big 3 era over (at least, for now) there is a chance for Miami to make some real noise in the Eastern Conference this season.
At the very least, they have a solid foundation with the addition of Jimmy Butler. Could the Miami Heat be a three seed in the East? They have some really nice pieces in place, along with one of the league’s best head coaches.