Riley Out, Spoelstra In

[durden_tyler]

Yey! One reason to stay as a Miami Heat fan (It's a given of course that Jason won't be signing here...) Spoelstra is from Laguna, Philippines! That's just outside the country's capital of Manila...

He has had some connection with basketball in the country... From an article about 3 or 4 years ago he mentioned that he was invited to play as a local (he would have been eligible being a half-Flip) in our local pro league, the Philippine Basketball Association... He spurned that offer to concentrate on NBA coaching and this is where it brought him.

Prepare to be invaded by a number of Filipino fans (already there are many Wade Pinoy nuthuggers) but almost immediately other NBA Pinoy fans are welcoming this development since this is the nearest "Filipino in the NBA" we can have... Do not be surprised if one of the next few months other fans come here and post though they were not originally Heat fans...

As for myself, i have always treated "former" teams with respect, retaining the innate desire to cheer for that "Ex", so i hope i am still welcome here one way or the other.

[Hoops23]

I know I am pessimistic when it comes to young coaches, but who else has the feeling that they would be more comfortable with Avery Johnson here rather than Spoelstra?

I have it. I think Riley should have waited a couple days. Then again, I felt the same way with SVG and that turned out rather well.

The reason Riley appoint Spoelstra right away, is to avoid controversy and stories or issues regarding hiring his replacement. Hiring Coach Eric immediately is a reason how supportive he is to the coming coach. . . . . Definitely the hiring of Eric is to keep the culture and his familiarity with the player and organization. Its also a good move to entice or show people that the Heat rewards and values their own people.

Durden_Tyler,
Never heard the story the PBA is hiring Spoelstra but if ever, without a doubt he will turn it down. Going to the PBA is like downgrading his career. BTW, Jawo is still popular?

[durden_tyler]

^ It was just mentioned in one of his interviews. Iffy on the exact dates but i think it was after his college days so he had no NBA career yet so to speak... Jawo will always be popular See, i still hate him, that is a sign of popularity.

[Hoops23]

Miami Herald

As he passes the coaching reins to Erik Spoelstra, Pat Riley plans to change his approach from when Stan Van Gundy was the coach.

Reflecting in a quiet moment, Riley said, ''I distanced myself, I thought, a little too much [from Van Gundy], not in a meddling way. I really showed too much respect, too much distance and wanted to stay absolutely out of the picture because it was his show.'' Although Riley wants to give Spoelstra a lot of space, ``I think there has to be more contact between me and the head coach on a regular basis, meet once every month or every two weeks.''

And Riley said he must ''have a more positive relationship'' with his new coach: ``I don't think I ever gave Stan enough kudos because I never needed a pat on the back. When you're in that position, you never expect one. That's probably where I'll come in more than I did the last time.''

Players love Spoelstra, but he knows he must be tough on them when needed. ''A lot of players want the discipline,'' he said, noting he has yelled before. ''They will play [hard] for'' Spoelstra, Riley predicts, because ``they respect him.''

I think this says something about SVG as coach then with the Heat. Is handling or the discipline with the vetarans or player is one of the reasons why Riley wants to meet with Eric on a regular basis?

[Flash3]

I think heat.com has it

i skimmed around, but couldn't find anything.

anywhere else that might have had it while i was out?

[Lane1974]

Spoelstra era begins in 4.5 months

Because it will play exhibitions in Paris and London, the Heat has been granted permission to open its training camp, its first under new coach Erik Spoelstra, Sept. 26.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/bask ... 4836.story