Do you want Spoelstra as coach?

[andre316]

There is a poll on this in the "Fire Spoelstra" thread, but given that anyone can vote (including those who want to see us fail) and do so anonymously, I think it's better to simply ask Heat fans to post their opinions and we can manually tally the results. I'll update them every few pages.


1) Do you want Spoelstra as coach?

2) If not, should he be fired now, after the season if we don't win the title, or under some other condition?

3) Who do you want to see replace him long-term? (And short-term if you want him out now.)


For me:

1) No.

2) After the season, whether or not we win the title. I think Riley would scare away the quality options if he removed Spo now.

Hopefully we can win the title despite Spo, and during the celebration party he knocks up some chick and has to take a few years off to start a family. Win-win.

3) Rick Adelman. His contract with Houston is up, he played in the league, and he's coached teams to the NBA Finals.

Plus, he's proven he can get his players to overachieve - 42 wins for the star-less Rockets last year in a brutal West the season after taking the 65-win Lakers to 7 games, while Spo was averaging 45 in a weak East with MVP-caliber, Olympic-form Wade.

[Miamis3rdRing]

1) Do you want Spoelstra as coach?
No. HOWEVER, I came into the season with an open mind and even supported him during the 9-8 start. We have not shown enough improvement over the year for me to continue supporting him. I don't think he has the full respect of the players, nor is he the right X's and O's guy for this type of talent. I'll be the first to admit the pieces don't fit together perfectly, but the talent is there and a good coach can make it work.

2) If not, should he be fired now, after the season if we don't win the title, or under some other condition?
I want him gone ASAP, but the off-season is a more realistic bet.
"I think Riley would scare away the quality options if he removed Spo now." Agreed.

3) Who do you want to see replace him long-term? (And short-term if you want him out now.)
Isiah Thomas jk
I'm right there with you on Rick Adelman.

Another option I'd consider is Jerry Sloan. It's quite possible that Sloan knew Williams would be traded and didn't want to put up with a rebuilding project in Utah, thus he quit. Just throwing that out there for those that think Sloan doesn't want to deal with the ego's of the game.

There's a couple of other names out there, but I'd prefer somebody with experience.

[5ickwithitxx]

Check your Pms.

[andre316]

coolstorybro, I too had an open mind about Spo until this season. I always questioned his understanding of basketball offense, but I figured these guys would overcome the limitations of his "system" on their own. That's happened to an extent, but when teams start making runs and we don't adjust, and when we get into late game situations, talent can only do so much.

Even on defense where I've always defended Spo, the exaggerated help system that has slow-footed Damp and Z chasing point guards on the perimeter while our actual perimeter defenders converge on the paint so that the other team gives up a 75% look at a 2-pointer for a 50% look at a (demoralizing) 3-pointer, just isn't cutting it for 48 minutes. We need to mix it up, if for no other reason than to save some first half energy for the second half.

F**k this b*stard. Bye.

That still only counts as one vote, but I couldn't agree more.

[followthrough]

1) Do you want Spoelstra as coach?

No. I was always for "giving him a chance first" but he got his chance and he's a moron. Fire him please.

2) If not, should he be fired now, after the season if we don't win the title, or under some other condition?

Now.

3) Who do you want to see replace him long-term? (And short-term if you want him out now.)

The only coaches I like are Sloan and Riles, but they're too old. I'm not familiar with any others but I'm sure anyone can do a better job than this idiot.

[mh_3]

1) Do you want Spoelstra as coach? No. I've never liked this guy to begin with. But tbh, when we got the Big 3, I gave him a chance. I thought, "now he has the talent, so I'll give him a chance." Too bad it had to come down to this though.

2) If not, should he be fired now, after the season if we don't win the title, or under some other condition? Well I would like it to be now, but it's going to throw off some things, mainly what you mentioned about quality coaches being scared away.

3) Who do you want to see replace him long-term? I'm riding the Rick Adelman bandwaggon. That guy has never had talent this great, and he still finds a way to get his team in the top 10 for scoring. Option 2 would be Jerry Sloan and Option 3 would be Pat Riley.

[Flashpoint]

No. Not necessarily because he has no experience as a player or head coach. Those are only warning signs. Not because he seemingly has his job from stroking his boss' ego. That could be circumstantial. It's not his miserable gameplanning because the right coach could develop. I don't want him as our HC and genuinely dislike him because he is a bull **** artist. He is so wrapped up in his own bull **** that he can't possibly learn anything or progress in meaningful ways. He shows nothing that would make a leader of men. Much less leading men who are far better at their profession than he is. He is as over his head as I have ever seen a coach and I've recently had up close seats to Randy Shannon and Cam Cameron. Spo is a man who desperately wishes he was Pat Riley though he's done nothing to earn a fraction of what Riles has. He's a poser and a bull **** who spouts words without substance and a meaning that I doubt he even understands. I think I'd lose respect for our players if they didn't realize what a phony he is, but thankfully they do so when we bring a legitimate coach in we have a chance.

[Vertical Limit]

Nope, I was all for it at the beginning but I realized he's nothing but an idiotic video coordinator that has no business on a basketball court. The guy is an imbecile.

[Run DLC]

It'll be pointless to fire him now. Let him try to fix his own mess, and then fire the gutless robot in the off-season.

[3LiftHeatCurse]

I came into the season with full confidence in Spoelstra. Good young coach, needed a better roster.

From watching this season? He has to go.

It is BAFFLING. Barely any off the ball movement between Wade and LeBron, and so much more. Where are the give n go's ? The Wade-Bosh or LeBron-Bosh Pick N Rolls with a pass into Bosh as he cuts to the basket, with Wade as a 3rd option on the play on movement?

there is SO MUCH you can do with this amount of talent. and he is squandering it.

[BennyGfromFL]

1. No

2. Fire him right away. Why throw away the season? Why not give yourself the best chance to win this year? Who knows what will happen with the lockout next year and the new CBA. There may be no midlevel exception, leaving us with the same core of guys. Hell, a hard cap may even force teams to part with key pieces. F*ck scaring off other coaches -- with this unprecedented collection of talent and the chance for coaching immortality, SOMEBODY will accept the call to, as flashpoint said, be a leader of men at the very top of their profession and potentially achieve greatness. I can tell you what does scare me though: we win a title this year based on Lebron and Wade's talent alone (great) and then Spo has complete immunity as head coach for the rest of our run (not so great), which may be a curse in disguise if we ever hope to become a dynasty, or, as fans of the game, just simply watch good, fluid basketball.

Also, we still have 20 games to adapt to a new coach....this whole talk of "process" and "getting over the hump" has conditioned some of us to believe that there's a hidden code to winning that only reveals itself after X amount of games, when I'm almost certain that you bring in a guy who knows what he's doing (Pat), we'll show dramatic improvements IMMEDIATELY even without an offensive and defensive overhaul. Even if it only means drawing up an effective play out of a timeout at the end of a game. Even if it's just throwing down the clipboard and finding a way to motivate these guys at halftime or in a huddle. Even if it's simply finding the right rotation and sticking to it. Even if it's just making the proper in-game adjustments. With the talent we have, these elements could very well be the difference in winning a championship and going home in round one.

3. My wishlist consists of Riley, Adelman, Sloan, Doc, Phil, Coach K, even Hubie Brown would be a guy who would command so much more respect than Spo. I often feared that this year's team would be similar to the Team USA of 2004, and it would take the right coach and the proper commitment and mentality to realize our potential. It's a shame that it's coming true.

[Heej]

I think he does know his X's and O's and when you break down the plays in ATO situations and in late game sets they're usually filled with a lot of movement and screening provided the players execute it correctly. He really is just a genius when it comes to the X's and O's, it's why Riley considers Spo his prodigy. Unfortunately Spo lacks the mental fortitude to make his players buy into the stuff he runs, and he's flat out not experienced or talented enough as a coach to get this team's execution down to the picture perfect efficiency we see Pop, PJ, Sloan, Doc Rivers, Riley, or even Adelman teams run them at. He's lost this team, and he's really not a good enough teacher to make this team execute the smallest details at the highest level.

He's better off suited as an assistant coach. He really does know his **** at the X's and O's level imo. The dude is a gifted basketball mind, but he just really lacks the intangibles it takes to be a great coach. He's like those smart guys that are super socially awkward that can't get girls. They know everything in the world but they're still awkward as **** and have weird personalities that aren't fun to be around. Spo is that guy when it comes to basketball. Really smart as ****, but lacks any charisma, fire, toughness, that "it" factor that demands respect from his superstars and doesn't give up until they buy in 100%. Hell, Mike Brown was better at getting his team (and especially Lebron) to buy into this system than Spo is tbh. He was probably a better defensive coach too tbh, his rotations never had the Cavs overhelping to the point of being completely and utterly exposed by competent offensive teams.

[HIF]

Another thread about the same subject - way to go Andre - poster of the year. Merge this thread Mods or we'll see another few thread on the same thing open if we dare to lose to the Lakers and spurs.

[nonemus]

Another thread about the same subject - way to go Andre - poster of the year. Merge this thread Mods or we'll see another few thread on the same thing open if we dare to lose to the Lakers and spurs.

No. I like where this thread is going. The other firespo is pretty stupid because of the poll (criticism of which falls on the OP's deaf ears). Besides, it has a nice structure, and actual heat fans votes will be counted. Additionally, people can view both yes/no, developed responses in the same thread.

[HIF]

Another thread about the same subject - way to go Andre - poster of the year. Merge this thread Mods or we'll see another few thread on the same thing open if we dare to lose to the Lakers and spurs.

No. I like where this thread is going. The other firespo is pretty stupid because of the poll (criticism of which falls on the OP's deaf ears). Besides, it has a nice structure, and actual heat fans votes will be counted. Additionally, people can view both yes/no, developed responses in the same thread.

What does a thread have to do with a poll?

We have how many hundreds of posts in the other thread and you don't like it because the poll doesn't agree with your stance. Get over it - I haven't looked at that Poll since it first went up - it was so clearly a foolish joke.

[WD]

The advantage of this thread is that if you have a neutral position, you can post here. All posts on the "FIRESPO" thread assumed you wanted him fired when you only wanted to comment.

HIF, if you have topics, we'll support yours too.

[WD]

Pat Riley publicly supports Eric. It won't be long now before we're in the playoffs and then this will all play itself out. Unfortunately, Eric may have to go deep in the playoff to keep his job for next year.

[truthiness]

1) Do you want Spoelstra as coach?

F*** NO !!!!

2) If not, should he be fired now, after the season if we don't win the title, or under some other condition?

Riles should go back in time (I know he can) and fire this moron in November

As other posters pointed out, the Heat are throwing away a season for this moron and that's even worse than normal with the new CBA, lockout looming, possible hard cap and so on.

3) Who do you want to see replace him long-term? (And short-term if you want him out now.)

Riles as interim till the end of the season.
Suck it up Riles. These guys gave up MILLIONS for you. Lead them to the promised land.

Adelman in the summer.
Adelman should be secure enough not to worry about Riley's shadow.

If Adelman is not available, anyone of Sloan, Stan Van Gundy and Doc Rivers

After the season, whether or not we win the title.

If the Heat win the title despite Spoelstra, there is absolutely no way he will be fired.
This is why I prefer a 1st round exit to a loss in the finals. If the Heat don't win the title, I don't want that moron to have any excuses, any wiggle room. If he makes the finals he'll continue with "it's a process, next year we win".

[Nupe_1911]

1) Do you want Spoelstra as coach?

Short Answer: No. He has proven to be inept, thoughtless and in over his head each of the last three seasons. It is worse this season because he no longer has "the Heat lack talent" excuse. There have been coaches superior to Spo. that have been fired for losing with rosters that are substantially inferior to this current Heat roster. Therefore, I don't see how anyone can justify keeping Spo. around unless the Heat somehow win a title this year.

I actually respect Spo. in that he is a rags to riches story. He went from video editor to head coach of arguably the most talented team in the NBA. He is a hard worker and he did earn this opportunity. To be clear, I am not some rabid Spo. hater. However, Spo. has not taken advantage of this opportunity, has failed, has underachieved and has shown an inability to grasp and adjust to fluid in-games situations. He is clearly unable to maximize the advantages the Heat roster has (speed, athleticism, long range shooting). Thus, he should be fired. He will get another head coaching job and perhaps he will improve.

2) If not, should he be fired now, after the season if we don't win the title, or under some other condition?

Answer: He should have been fired years ago. However, at best, he will be fired subsequent to the playoffs. I don't see the Heat getting past the second round and depending on the match-up the Heat may not get out of the first round.

3) Who do you want to see replace him long-term? (And short-term if you want him out now.)

Adelman has been one of the best NBA coaches for sometime but the Rocket's will not let him go. Sloan would be great. Riley would be great. Van Gundy would be great (put your Knick's hate aside). My fav. choice is Coach K but good luck getting him to leave PUKE!

[Nupe_1911]

Pat Riley publicly supports Eric. It won't be long now before this all plays out.

When management has to publicly announce its support for a head coach that usually does not bode well for that head coach in the short or long term.