Spoelstra After The Record: “Heat Gave Me Opportunity To Learn And Grow”

Erik Spoelstra wrote history last night, while most of the attention was turned towards James Harden’s unreal performance in New York and Victor Oladipo’s injury,

He silently became the all-time franchise leader in games coached, surpassing his mentor and the person who put him in charge, Pat Riley.

Spoelstra was leading his Heat for the 850th time last night against the Clippers.

It is a long way for a guy who started as a video coordinator here some 24 years ago.

But back then, he could have easily been fired shortly after his appointment. The 1995 year marks the change of the franchise policy for the Heat, and the arrival of Pat Riley, who was given the freedom of arranging things within the organization, as he wanted.

The franchise suffered lots of changes, and many people were released, but not the youngster.

For his father, Jon, who had a huge background in the league, being the executive for several franchises, this was one of those moments when he needed to give advice to his son.

Spoelstra still recalls that conversation.

Hey, this literally could been an eight-to-10-year run.” Erik recalls the talk with his father. ” ‘You can’t get that in pro sports. It doesn’t matter what your position is, it doesn’t matter if you ever get promoted, just find a way to hang with this guy, this Hall of Famer’, so I guess the lesson to that is I’m still just trying to hang on”

Tonight, Erik Spoelstra passes Pat Riley for Heat games coached. Spo talked about his dad's advice to him — and D-Wade talked about Spo's clothes during shootaround today pic.twitter.com/ApRbvFdAYw

— WPLG Local 10 Sports (@Local10Sports) January 23, 2019

And Spoelstra Jr. did stay way longer than anyone expected, even himself. He is aware that in some other places the executives wouldn’t be as patient as Riley was, and that his tenure there would be much shorter than in Florida. And he isn’t afraid to admit that publicly.

“I would’ve been fired several times if I was within another organization … But I was given an opportunity to grow, to learn.”

The famous Pat Riley recognized the talent young video guy had, and started to promote him slowly, giving him more and more responsible assignments throughout the years. Video coordinator, a scout, director of scouting, and in the end the assistant coach who was one of the most credited for Heat first NBA championship won in 2006 against the Mavs in the big finals.

In the meantime, he shaped Dwyane Wade into one of the best players in the history of the league. He was in charge of working individually with Flash, who has an interesting view on their relationship.

“He’s consistent. If you’re a parent, you understand that my kids need consistency from me and my wife.” Wade tried to bring closer how things work out in Heat organization.

“They need routines, they need all these things. It’s the same thing. It’s a big daycare that he has in that locker room, and he’s consistent with his message and how we do things.”

.@DwyaneWade on Erik Spoelstra's coaching style, their relationship and how Coach Spo steers the ship with a family-first culture.Tonight Erik Spoelstra will surpass Pat Riley for the most games coached in @MiamiHEAT history. #HEATCulture #NBA pic.twitter.com/nSIeAx84ds

— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) January 23, 2019

Flash hopes to see Spoelstra here for many, many years to come, and he expects to see him in some different position when he decides to quit coaching.

“Even, I feel, when he gets done, and he don’t want to coach no more, there’ll be another position for him somewhere else.”

The bond between Spoelstra and Heat is unmeasurable, and the numbers he posted are just one tiny reflection of his previous work here.

The guy who started from the bottom, and learned while making his way up, eventually surpassing all his mentors and former legends, became one with the organization as the time went by.

At this point, Gregg Popovich is the only active coach who has been in one place more than Spoelstra. But be aware that Miami’s leader has only 48 years, while on the other hand, Pop will be 70 soon enough.

In two years, he might easily reach 1,000-game mark with one team, which is a rarity in NBA.

It is why Spoelstra feels grateful for the opportunity to be here.

“This coaching profession is extremely dynamic. It’s complex and I’m very grateful to have this opportunity with such an incredible organization. You don’t have it in pro sports.” said a three-time NBA champion who started as a video guy.

A hell of a story.