Fire Spoelstra

[Wade2k6]

Big Z shouldn't be starting and Bibby is playing terrible, but at some point the players need to be held accountable. The Heat lost game 3 because Bosh was awful and LeBron/Wade didn't have good games. The Heat aren't going to win any games against the Celtics if the Big 3 play as bad (Bosh) and mediocre (Wade / LeBron) as they did yesterday, regardless of any adjustments Spo makes. The team had a chance to essentially end the series last night but didn't, and it's a shame because the stars actually got very good productive from their bench (Joel and Chalmers specifically).

[cheenofly523]

I'd love to replace Spo for Phil Jackson....

[desert_scar]

I thought Wade, Chalmers and Anthony were the only guys to play with urgency. Part players fault, but also part of the coaches fault for not sitting Bosh or Lebron for a short time so they can get a change of perspective.

One thing the staff needs to keep telling Lebron and Bibby is to stop hesitating on the open 3. They are decent 3 shooters and need the green light if they are going to get out of their funk.

The most frustrating thing about Lebron game 3 is way to many mid-range shots than taking 3s (really, how much more efficient is a 24 foot J over a 21 foot J?) or getting all the way to the rim.

Heat also still don't know how to get easy offense or have much of an offensive identify. The Celts starting 5 runs a much more organized offense--they are much better about generating quality shots in the half court, and have been that way the instant that big 3 came together (for those trying to use the "experience together" excuse). Talent and athleticism is why Miami should win this series, not coaching or organization on the floor--at least offensely for sure.

Still the path is wide open for the Heat. No Lakers. Only 1 team to beat where they don't have homecourt. Except for yesterday, the Heat defense has been excellent, and Spol can get a lot of credit for that. Win the title or not, I don't think we are going to see fluid & cohesive offense--and that needs to be something next season is a focus and maybe a new head (or more probably assistant) needs to be brought it on that front. Lot of titles have come from great team defense plus a stellar individual performer, so that is a formula that can work, I just expected better team ball offense given the skill level of the main parts.

[narmerguy]

Why is it after every loss this thread get's active again?

Now I've been on this bandwaggon (and I still am), but Game 3 wasn't solely on Spo. In fact, it was mostly on LeBron and Bosh. They played like p****** out there and had no sense of urgency.

I just don't understand people's arguments. Yes, why is it surprising that this thread is active after losses? Because Spo's shortcomings are most magnified or exploited when we lose. Of course many losses could have been prevented by better player performances, but why does Spo get a free pass on that criticism?

The last game Bron and Bosh played poorly. So what? That's separate from the bad coaching that was displayed. Whether or not bron/bosh could have won us the game by playing better does not mean we should ignore the fact that Spo coaching better could have won or tightened up the game as well. And I have never been a "Fire Spo" guy and still am not. But this BS of constantly protecting him just to make a point has gotten absurd. Let's be real fans, not fanboys. Being a fan doesn't mean you don't have complaints or want things to be better.

[GameTime_3]

I just don't understand people's arguments. Yes, why is it surprising that this thread is active after losses? Because Spo's shortcomings are most magnified or exploited when we lose. Of course many losses could have been prevented by better player performances, but why does Spo get a free pass on that criticism?

The last game Bron and Bosh played poorly. So what? That's separate from the bad coaching that was displayed. Whether or not bron/bosh could have won us the game by playing better does not mean we should ignore the fact that Spo coaching better could have won or tightened up the game as well. And I have never been a "Fire Spo" guy and still am not. But this BS of constantly protecting him just to make a point has gotten absurd. Let's be real fans, not fanboys. Being a fan doesn't mean you don't have complaints or want things to be better

+1
Spo wasn't the only problem in game 3 but his style and lack of coaching gave the Boston Celtics the spark they needed. Instead of reading the game, he went with what he already decided before tip off nd that was playing Z to start the game and start the 3rd. Every single game Z has played his been killing us offensivly and defensivly and yet for no reason excpt that Spo is always a few games to react, has kept Z in the lineup. Game 3 was in the balance and instead of going for it, we played it like it was a regular season game. This Coach doesn't understand the moment!

[andre316]

I thought Wade, Chalmers and Anthony were the only guys to play with urgency.

No surprise, they've been steeped in Heat culture the longest.

Spo wasn't the only problem in game 3 but his style and lack of coaching gave the Boston Celtics the spark they needed.

I agree. And while it is still the player's fault for his own bad performance, it doesn't help when coaching decisions put us in a bad situation (the 10-point handicaps we spotted the Celtics to start both halves) and then the player is completely out of rhythm because he has to play catch-up, especially on the road, with the other team having all the momentum.

Again, not excusing Bosh or LeBron for being mentally or emotionally frail, but part of a coach's job is to LEAD and put his players in the best position to win given their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Am I asking too much in expecting the coach to be the captain of the ship? Am I just being too old-fashioned? I believe coaches should willingly put losses on themselves (whether they're at fault or not), then have the necessary talks and make the necessary corrections behind closed doors. I think they should be strong enough and confident enough to handle that, for the greater good of the team.

[Flashpoint]

I'm definitely not Spo's biggest fan, but the idea that anyone would still want him replaced if we win a chip this year is legitimately crazy to me. You're either a championship capable coach or you're not. If he proves that he is this year when this team is at its weakest then there is no more ideal situation for this franchise than to have a young, championship coach running it. No coach is going to make us win every single game. That's not how the sport works. I think he's constantly improving, but I don't think much of his coaching or his babble. Yet if he wins a chip this year that is what it is all about and the man would deserve his do. Let's just hope we get there.

[andre316]

I'm definitely not Spo's biggest fan, but the idea that anyone would still want him replaced if we win a chip this year is legitimately crazy to me.

If we win it all this year, there's a 0% chance he gets replaced. Probably ever.

The reason I say I would still want another coach anyway is that I fear we might win it all once based on talent and desire, and maybe even to some extent on favorable playoff match-ups, but as our core guys age and we run across different playoff situations in the future we'll rely more and more on good execution, while the desire inevitably dulls with even one title (we've all seen THAT movie already) and that's where having the right kind of leadership comes in.

[Wade2k6]

I'm definitely not Spo's biggest fan, but the idea that anyone would still want him replaced if we win a chip this year is legitimately crazy to me.

If we win it all this year, there's a 0% chance he gets replaced. Probably ever.

The reason I say I would still want another coach anyway is that I fear we might win it all once based on talent and desire, and maybe even to some extent on favorable playoff match-ups, but as our core guys age and we run across different playoff situations in the future we'll rely more and more on good execution, while the desire inevitably dulls with even one title (we've all seen THAT movie already) and that's where having the right kind of leadership comes in.

At this point he deserves to be back regardless of whether the Heat win or not. He was stubborn as hell in the beginning of the season and it seemed like it took him forever to come around, but he's definitely making adjustments quicker. He's in a tough position because:
1) Lack of depth can really hurt a team in the regular season. LeBron/Wade/Bosh aren't going to bring it every single game of the year. At least in the playoffs the rotations shorten so it isn't as big of an issue.
2) Wade / LeBron / Bosh coast at times, Wade especially.
3) They had no C. Joel Anthony was terrible for 75% of the season, Dampier/Z/Magloire are 2nd-3rd string centers at this point in their careers. That's no slight on JA though, because he's really stepped his game up during the playoffs. He's rebounding the ball much better, playing excellent defense, and altering/blocking a ton of shots

[Tuff Gong]

If we go onto lose this series, and we will if we lose tonight, Erick Spoelstra better be fired for this **** he pulled with Juwan Howard tonight. He better.

[HIF]

And now that we've won by 10 - and beaten the Celtics 3-1 with Juwan Howard playing what's your reply Tuff Gong.

[HeatGuyInChicago]

No one says Spoelstra should not be criticized, but remember the title of the thread! The amount of vitriol he receives on this forum is beyond ridiculous for what he has accomplished. Some people on this thread still want him fired even if the Heat win the Championship. How would you feel about that if you were in that situation? This team is essentially three studs and a disappearing bench. How many open threes have our role players missed? When we don't make threes, teams pack the paint. We have no guy at Center that can catch and finish consitently. The fact that we have worked on our defense to keep us in games allows us to withstand bad shooting nights and still be in games at the end. Spoelstra should be credited for that. The team is pretty well prepared after timeouts. On the flip side, I question when he takes timeouts. Sometimes, I think he could call timeouts earlier to stave off runs. I also question his rotations, but admitedly what does he have to go to? I will be amazed if this team wins the Championship with the inconsistent shooting of the role players. It will be more to the credit of James, Wade, and Bosh, but Spoelstra has done a good job to get the guys in the right places.

[WD]

Last night was a break through for this entire team, everybody...I believe we will have an easier/better season next year WITH ERIC.

[HIF]

Oh Noez, Rivers 5 year extension with Celtics, Adelman to Lakers. It's sloan or bust !!!!!

[BadMofoPimp]

Unless the Heat win it all. Then, stuck with Spo!

[DefenseWins]

You know Spo hasn't done a bad job.

His end of game situations suck because there is no creativity whatsoever.

HOWEVER, his defensive schemes, such as "let this other player defeat us, not one of the big scorers" is pretty good. Like they were letting JO defeat the Heat (which didn't work obviously) while cutting off Allen and the others. Though there's Rondo who couldn't shoot, so that made it easier.

What Spo lacks is that authoritative presence. The Heat play lazy sometimes, and that costs them games. Even if he yells at them they don't listen to him. Then Pat Riley talks to them and WOOOOW the sense of urgency on LeBron's face was the most urgent I've ever seen him, in Game 4 anyway. Then at the end of game 5 he came alive.

One thing I have had a beef with all year are his rotations. STOP PUTTING IN MIKE MILLER. He sucks, he can't even rebound correctly because he has two injured thumbs, CAN'T SHOOT THE DAMN BALL. Just give his minutes to JJ please, I don't even care if JJ doesn't make the shot, it has a higher chance of going in. He use to play this guy for 30 minutes and Heat would lose and lose and lose. Thank goodness Miller isn't in for more than 10 minutes, and his best crunch time line up is with JJ in it GO FIGURE. Lmao did anyone see when Mike Miller missed the dunk and it had to be tipped in? fail. What's sad is, Miller had to get injured for him to realize JJ is a great player LOL.

then he sticks with Bibby too much sometimes. Bibby is becoming useless and is if he doesn't hit his 3's. It's so annoying. The 3 point shooters aren't doing their job either.

[desert_scar]

One really stupid move at the time was not calling timeout in a tie with like 36 seconds left, game 4. The Heat could have gone for a 2 for one and instead they stand around and Lebron lost it with like 20 seconds left and Boston got the last shot.

Or maybe it was a super brilliant high stakes move. Of course in the end it worked because Pierce missed it, and maybe forcing OT was a strategy both to win game 4 and tire them out extra going into elimination game 5--but I have rarely seen a worse tactical violation of NBA coaching 101. If Pierce makes that shot that is probably a 7 game series shaping up instead of 5.

[DefenseWins]

actually, Boston didn't execute well. if you look, Ray and KG were in each others way twice and KG couldn't screen for Pierce, thus he forced up the shot.

Also, LeBron was forced into a corner 3, who knows what would have happened if that didn't happen.

A LOT of hero ball going on, luckily Heat have talented players....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E0gd7N7 ... ideo_title - Boston messed up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0DRHxMdemA - Boston's play right

Still not sure how it would have gone down because LeBron was on Pierce like glue until the screen would get him, and the Heat's interior defense I knew would have let that bucket go in <.<

[desert_scar]

I actually see there was 42 seconds when Boston tied it. How the Heat can only manage 1 bad possession in that situation is really horrendous tactical coaching. Violates NBA 101 execution. They should call a TO and draw up a quick play. Particularly when you have some great individuals at getting decent shots of in 10-12 seconds in that 2 for 1 situation. It is much easier for the Heat to get a quick quality possession than the Celts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqN5JzzhRZw

[HIF]

4-1