It’s been 16 years and counting since Pat Riley decided to step down as head coach and hand-pick a successor to take over the Miami Heat’s reins. That successor was Erik Spoelstra, who had worked behind the scenes for years to earn that position.
Years later, the franchise has grown, playing in an identity that the coach has inculcated, and many big-name stars have taken to the court at South Beach.
A special coach
When Spoelstra first stepped into the NBA as a fresh-faced video room intern for the Heat, nobody thought he’d shape the league’s history someday. He wasn’t some flashy ex-player or a big-name hire; Spo was a grinder. The kind of guy who’d spend hours dissecting players’ videos, learning the game one clip at a time.
Over two decades later, he’s one of the longest-serving active head coaches in the league, with a resume that screams longevity and excellence…