Is Spo a better coach than Doc Rivers?

[LEIF]

check your PMS Rondo2Hondo

[Rondo2Hondo]

Can you troll any harder?

That's not trolling. I was talking about Bradley as our x-factor, and then I shared a gif to explain. I'm happy for you to post an image of Miami beating Boston, or Wade purposely ruining Rondo's arm. You can come over to our forum and do it, but I'm not getting into that. This debate is about how average Spo is at coaching. Your mod agrees that Doc is head and shoulders above Pop, so I don't know hwy you are continuing pointed attacks. I am done.

[Hallstar]

Ha! You changed your tune quickly, Spo is not in the same class as Doc, and certainly not in the same class as Adelman.

For me it would look something like:
Pop
Adelman/ Phil
Doc
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The rest

I'd confidently take Mike Dunlap over Spo.

This is a doo doo post.

You're ignorant as hell if you still doubt Coach Spo's capabilities.

Any of us could coach the Heat. It's Bron, Wade, Bosh and excellent role players. How did Spo do with Wade, Beasley and O'Neal??? Lost to the Hawksi n the first round, and destroyed by Boston in the first round.

LeBron saved Spo's career. Barea almost destroyed again, you were all calling for his head after Spo was unable to counter for Barea for 3 straight games. Pretty poor coaching. There's nothing wrong with admitting your coach is average. It takes nothing away from your team, your players are great.

Made the playoffs. Beasley and JO are barely holding on to NBA careers..you state that as a positive

[AKFO]

Eh, I do think Doc is overrated, but I don't understand what Spo has done to justify a spot above Doc. Your arguments are that Doc only performed well once he got the Big 3, but what has Spo done without his big 3, a much mightier big 3 than the one handed to Boston? So Ray Allen has a better role in Miami so what? If Nick Young is a spot up shooter scoring 10 ppg on one squad, and a number 1 option chucker scoring 20 ppg on another squad, is the latter coach using him better? And does that make him the better coach? Also, someone said that Doc hasn't sustained success over a period of time but it's tough when the backbone of your defense gets hurt during the 2009 playoffs. In 2010, we made it to the finals, and in 2011, we lacked a big man due to injury. In 2012, the Cs did perfectly fine with their roster make up, making it to the ECF and getting just 1 game away from the finals. I'm obviously not trying to troll, but just add to a healthy debate.

[Hallstar]

Eh, I do think Doc is overrated, but I don't understand what Spo has done to justify a spot above Doc. Your arguments are that Doc only performed well once he got the Big 3, but what has Spo done without his big 3, a much mightier big 3 than the one handed to Boston? So Ray Allen has a better role in Miami so what? If Nick Young is a spot up shooter scoring 10 ppg on one squad, and a number 1 option chucker scoring 20 ppg on another squad, is the latter coach using him better? And does that make him the better coach? Also, someone said that Doc hasn't sustained success over a period of time but it's tough when the backbone of your defense gets hurt during the 2009 playoffs. In 2010, we made it to the finals, and in 2011, we lacked a big man due to injury. In 2012, the Cs did perfectly fine with their roster make up, making it to the ECF and getting just 1 game away from the finals. I'm obviously not trying to troll, but just add to a healthy debate.

I think they're in the same neighbourhood and that Pop is the only true elite coach left in the league until this new core starts winning multiple ships.. That's consistent throughout my posts.

Just because some Heat fans with their ridiculous expectations like thinking playing Beasley more would have been what would get us past Boston in 2010 and 2nd guess every decision whether it works or not doesn't make Spo an average coach.

Some were against starting Battier next to Bosh in the Finals and just KNEW Spo was an idiot and they were "proven" right after game 1. Basically if some Heat fans drank a good heap of stfu, Spo would have a far better rep.

[narmerguy]

Dang can you imagine if Pop had this Big 3 to play with? Lord have mercy.

[TheDon008]

Eh, I do think Doc is overrated, but I don't understand what Spo has done to justify a spot above Doc. Your arguments are that Doc only performed well once he got the Big 3, but what has Spo done without his big 3, a much mightier big 3 than the one handed to Boston? So Ray Allen has a better role in Miami so what? If Nick Young is a spot up shooter scoring 10 ppg on one squad, and a number 1 option chucker scoring 20 ppg on another squad, is the latter coach using him better? And does that make him the better coach? Also, someone said that Doc hasn't sustained success over a period of time but it's tough when the backbone of your defense gets hurt during the 2009 playoffs. In 2010, we made it to the finals, and in 2011, we lacked a big man due to injury. In 2012, the Cs did perfectly fine with their roster make up, making it to the ECF and getting just 1 game away from the finals. I'm obviously not trying to troll, but just add to a healthy debate.

I think they're in the same neighbourhood and that Pop is the only true elite coach left in the league until this new core starts winning multiple ships.. That's consistent throughout my posts.

Just because some Heat fans with their ridiculous expectations like thinking playing Beasley more would have been what would get us past Boston in 2010 and 2nd guess every decision whether it works or not doesn't make Spo an average coach.

Some were against starting Battier next to Bosh in the Finals and just KNEW Spo was an idiot and they were "proven" right after game 1. Basically if some Heat fans drank a good heap of stfu, Spo would have a far better rep.

Great post.

You should post more.

[DWadeno3]

Can you troll any harder?

That's not trolling. I was talking about Bradley as our x-factor, and then I shared a gif to explain. I'm happy for you to post an image of Miami beating Boston, or Wade purposely ruining Rondo's arm. You can come over to our forum and do it, but I'm not getting into that. This debate is about how average Spo is at coaching. Your mod agrees that Doc is head and shoulders above Pop, so I don't know hwy you are continuing pointed attacks. I am done.

And what does the gif explain? Nothing, it's a highlight of a Heat player against a Boston player which has nothing to do with the actual discussion and does not prove your point of Bradley being the x-factor. And now you're coming in here trying to say Wade purposely ruined Rondo's arm? Nobody can take you seriously when you're just acting like a salty little girl, who can't get over the fact that we beat your team twice in a row in the postseason.
Oh and no, nobody agreed Doc is head and shoulders above Pop, now you even lack proper reading comprehension skills.

[Rondo2Hondo]

Can you troll any harder?

That's not trolling. I was talking about Bradley as our x-factor, and then I shared a gif to explain. I'm happy for you to post an image of Miami beating Boston, or Wade purposely ruining Rondo's arm. You can come over to our forum and do it, but I'm not getting into that. This debate is about how average Spo is at coaching. Your mod agrees that Doc is head and shoulders above Pop, so I don't know hwy you are continuing pointed attacks. I am done.

And what does the gif explain? Nothing, it's a highlight of a Heat player against a Boston player which has nothing to do with the actual discussion and does not prove your point of Bradley being the x-factor. And now you're coming in here trying to say Wade purposely ruined Rondo's arm? Nobody can take you seriously when you're just acting like a salty little girl, who can't get over the fact that we beat your team twice in a row in the postseason.
Oh and no, nobody agreed Doc is head and shoulders above Pop, now you even lack proper reading comprehension skills.

Whoops, typo. Head and shoulders above Spo. Doc, Spo, Pop. I guess it gets confusing with the three letter names.

[Hawaii]

I think Spo does a great job for his situation; he's won me over the past few years. I prefer Doc's style of coaching overall, but Spo's cool.

[King_John]

If I had LeBron on my team I would be good coach too...no but seriously even as a Heat Fan I have to say Doc is a better coach...he outcoached Spo in the Eastern Conference Finals no doubt...If it wasn t for LBJ s monster game in game 6 no one would even argue one seond who is the better coach

[Pimpwerx]

When has Spo missed the playoffs? Never.

How many games has Spo coached with his team below .500? I believe it's only 12 or 13.

Up until this year, his teams have steadily climbed in DRTG, year after year.

Big3 or not, Spo is a great coach. As evidenced by other teams around the league, you don't win on talent alone. Better than Doc? I say hell yes. I wouldn't want to swap Spo for Doc at all. What's Doc been doing that's so great? PEACE.

[RexBoyWonder]

When has Spo missed the playoffs? Never.

How many games has Spo coached with his team below .500? I believe it's only 12 or 13.

Up until this year, his teams have steadily climbed in DRTG, year after year.

Big3 or not, Spo is a great coach. As evidenced by other teams around the league, you don't win on talent alone. Better than Doc? I say hell yes. I wouldn't want to swap Spo for Doc at all. What's Doc been doing that's so great? PEACE.

Sorry but that's homer talk.

Spo really struggles with in-game adjustments. his rotations are so robotic, how many times does he take out the hot hand or overplay someone who is sucking. If a team starts exploiting a weakness in our armor, Spo rarely solves the issue by changing anything. i also believe he's doing us a disservice by not devloping our big guys. Do you even remember the Mavs series? i like Spo but If we had Rick Carlisle on our side LBJ would have 2 rings right now.

Doc on the other hand is probably the best in-game Coach around, and a great motivator. Spo might reach his level someday with more experience and if he could open his mind and dare to try ADJUSTING, but he's clearly not there yet.

[Hallstar]

When has Spo missed the playoffs? Never.

How many games has Spo coached with his team below .500? I believe it's only 12 or 13.

Up until this year, his teams have steadily climbed in DRTG, year after year.

Big3 or not, Spo is a great coach. As evidenced by other teams around the league, you don't win on talent alone. Better than Doc? I say hell yes. I wouldn't want to swap Spo for Doc at all. What's Doc been doing that's so great? PEACE.

Sorry but that's homer talk.

Spo really struggles with in-game adjustments. his rotations are so robotic, how many times does he take out the hot hand or overplay someone who is sucking. If a team starts exploiting a weakness in our armor, Spo rarely solves the issue by changing anything. i also believe he's doing us a disservice by not devloping our big guys. Do you even remember the Mavs series? i like Spo but If we had Rick Carlisle on our side LBJ would have 2 rings right now.

Doc on the other hand is probably the best in-game Coach around, and a great motivator. Spo might reach his level someday with more experience and if he could open his mind and dare to try ADJUSTING, but he's clearly not there yet.

Lebron failed us in 2012 Finals, not the other way around

None of us know anything about what these coaches do to motivate teams that isn't told to us. And I'm buying Spo's motivation techniques after last year

We hear edited 5 sec clips and make statements.

[Pimpwerx]

I was just thinking about Spo's impact on the game recently. I don't think it's a coincidence that all of a sudden, we're seeing Melo and Durant playing big at the 4, Ibaka and Pau taking 3s, while Kobe looks to move to SF. I think part of this is due to Spo's effective use of our roster.

Going right up to the Finals, the story was that teams could beat us up inside and kill us on the glass. We overcame both of them. We did that while also having our center shooting 3s next to two SFs. Now part of this is due to Spo having 3 very versatile forwards in Bosh, Bron and Battier (how come we never called them the Killer Bs?). However, Spo's been one of the few coaches to be so effective with such a lineup.

Has Spo helped change the way the game is played now? Has he inspired a small ball arms race around the league? It really looks to me like teams are changing to match us rather than stockpiling on bigs. PEACE.

[DWadeno3]

I was just thinking about Spo's impact on the game recently. I don't think it's a coincidence that all of a sudden, we're seeing Melo and Durant playing big at the 4, Ibaka and Pau taking 3s, while Kobe looks to move to SF. I think part of this is due to Spo's effective use of our roster.

Going right up to the Finals, the story was that teams could beat us up inside and kill us on the glass. We overcame both of them. We did that while also having our center shooting 3s next to two SFs. Now part of this is due to Spo having 3 very versatile forwards in Bosh, Bron and Battier (how come we never called them the Killer Bs?). However, Spo's been one of the few coaches to be so effective with such a lineup.

Has Spo helped change the way the game is played now? Has he inspired a small ball arms race around the league? It really looks to me like teams are changing to match us rather than stockpiling on bigs. PEACE.

I remember the Arenas-Butler-Jamison Wizards used Jamison as a small stretch-four, so it's not really a revolution. From what I'm seeing, OKC still starts with Ibaka and Perkins, and Collison still receives a good amount of minutes, so it's not as if they changed their entire culture. They certainly use small ball lineups during games to spark their offense, but this is nothing new. When you have a tall player who is quick and can shoot a la Durant, Melo or LeBron, you're obviously gonna play him at the four in stretches because it creates a huge mismatch. Teams always wanna play to their strengths and if that's one of them, you're gonna use it.

You don't see Memphis use Gay at the 4 though for example because their strength is their frontcourt length. Ultimately, the game in general has changed, since it's become more perimeter-oriented. You rarely see true centers in this league, which is why the development of having smaller, more athletic lineups is only a logical consequence of that change. It's not as if Spo is some entrepreneur though. D'Antoni established small ball in Phoenix with Marion at the 4 and Stoudemire at the 5 way before Spo even was a head coach.

With that being said, teams certainly wanna adjust to us, we're the defending champs and thus the team-to-beat. But to claim Spoelstra has changed the way the game is played right now is a too far-fetched.