Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is a surefire Hall of Famer one of the most accomplished NBA coaches to ever grace this earth.
However, whether you want to point to the Miami Heat’s dominant 66-win season in 2012-13, their miraculous 30-11 second-half surge in 2016-17 or their unexpected 53-win season — as the No. 1 seed in the East — in 2021-22, there’s one thing that’s alluded the longtime head coach: Winning the Coach of the Year award.
As respected as Spoelstra, 55, rightfully is by his peers, he’s never won one. But if the Heat continue this pace — figuratively and literally — don’t be surprised if he’s somewhere in the conversation.
It’s still very early, but don’t be surprised if Erik Spoelstra is a COY finalist:
No, the Miami Heat, coming off a 130-116 loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday, aren’t the most dominant team in the East at 7-5.
Currently, Miami is T-13 in NET Rating with the 16th-best offense and ninth-best defense. Tyler Herro (foot) has yet to play a game this season, while Bam Adebayo has missed each of the last four games with a toe injury.
Digging deeper into the weeds, Spoelstra — with the help of consultant Noah LaRoche — completely flipped this offense into a fast-paced, free-flowing machine, empowering the likes of Norman Powell, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Davion Mitchell in the open court.
They aren’t using ball-screens, they aren’t running many plays in the halfcourt — the Heat are turning their defense into offense by relentlessly attacking open space and creating advantages with pristine ball- and player movement.
All that said, there’s still plenty of basketball to be played. Every team will have peaks and valleys.
Though of the Heat’s five losses, three of them (Nuggets, Lakers and Cavaliers) were either bad or noncompetitive. Most of us would’ve signed up for a 7-5 start to begin the season, all things considered, too.
None of this is to say the Heat will continue this trek. But if they do, Spoelstra’s hat deserves to be thrown somewhere in the pile.
Miami’s offense the previous three seasons was unwatchable. Now, its process looks far more coherent — and it maximizes the skillsets of the team’s best players. He’s done one of the most important things a coach can do: Let go and let the players … play.
And he deserves credit for it.
This is its first season without Jimmy Butler, so it would unquestionably be impressive if it could conjure together at least 43-45 wins with this roster, let alone sustain this 48-win pace it’s on. But Spoelstra’s willingness to adapt and maximize — so far — shouldn’t go unnoticed, even if he doesn’t end up winning the award six months from now.
***
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
- Date, time for Heat’s next game against Raptors revealed
- Desmond Bane, Magic blow past Heat 117-108
- NBA GAMETHREAD: Miami Heat (14-10) @ Orlando Magic (14-10)
- Erik Spoelstra wants to see more from Heat’s double-big lineup
- GAME PREVIEW: Heat to battle Magic in NBA Cup knockout round
- 2025-26 Emirates Cup quarterfinals: Heat-Magic best bets
- What’s at stake for the Miami Heat in the Emirates Cup quarterfinals?
This is a season where a coaching tactic, playing the running game, so far has led to better team results. So, yes, if this team, without any true superstar, continues to win at this pace, it will be appropriate for Coach Spo to get some of the credit. IMO, we are approximately five points better a game due to this approach.