For a number of years, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has been considered one of the very best at his job in the NBA.
The proof is in the pudding — two world championships and six trips to the NBA Finals in his 15 previous seasons at the helm of the Heat.
On Tuesday evening, news broke via Adrian Wojnarowski that Miami had awarded Spoelstra with a monstrous contract extension that will pay him $120 million over eight seasons.
ESPN Sources: Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s contract extension includes the most committed coaching money in history: eight-years, $120-plus million. pic.twitter.com/S7cX4a3gwW
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 10, 2024
While some fans may feel the money is outlandish, they also generally feel Spoelstra has earned it.
Wow but worth it obviously
— Toasted (@Toasted_6) January 10, 2024
100% DESERVED pic.twitter.com/kAqFSUBZGB
— BronMuse (@BronMuse) January 10, 2024
Top 5 coach of all time. Don’t @ me
— JJJMuse (@JaimeJaquezMuse) January 10, 2024
This Heat fan is looking forward to more playoff upsets over the beasts of the East.
Another 8 years of beating the Celtics and Bucks in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/26Jjst7IfQ
— (@WadexFlash) January 10, 2024
Spoelstra is a unique success story, as he is the rare NBA coach who never played in the league yet has commanded respect and trust from his players.
He started out as their video coordinator in 1995, and a couple of years later, he was promoted to an assistant coach under then-head coach Pat Riley.
Spoelstra impressed people in the organization so much that when Riley stepped down in 2008, he was chosen by Riley himself to be the team’s new head coach.
While Spoelstra has had the good fortune to coach unique stars such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Jimmy Butler, he has maximized them over the years while helping to build the Heat’s much-lauded culture.
Over the last four seasons, they were counted out come playoff time, yet they have reached the Eastern Conference Finals three times and the NBA Finals twice.
So far this season, Miami is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 21-15, and they have withstood the trauma of not landing Damian Lillard over the summer to once again give themselves a puncher’s chance of doing something special.
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