Erik Spoelstra, a 37-year-old wonder kid of sorts, is the Heat's new head coach. Pat Riley, elected to the Hall of Fame in early April, resigned after 24 years as a head coach on April 28. Riley will remain with the team as president, thus getting the final word on all personnel decisions.
But Riley said he's done coaching. Forever. "I am officially retired," he said.
Riley resigned days before the 2003 season. But he came back in December 2005 after his replacement, current Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy, suddenly resigned for family reasons.
After winning the 2006 NBA title, his fifth, Riley returned to the bench the following season, only to take a 22-game break to have hip and knee surgeries. Also, he later admitted, that he wanted a break from his team's lackadaisical attitude. Miami, the defending champions, finished 44-38 and got swept by Chicago in the first round.
The Heat followed that with a horrible 15-67 performance this season, the worst record in the league. Riley said he's sick of the grind.
"The last five years I've been a little bit conflicted with whether I wanted to or not wanted to (continue coaching)," he said. "Today, I am definitely sure I do not want to do this anymore."
Spoelstra, the son of former Portland marketing executive Jon Spoelstra, has been with the Heat for 13 years. A four-year starting point guard at the University of Portland, Spoelstra spent two years in Germany as a player/coach.
He started with the Heat in 1995 as a video coordinator and eventually worked his way up to assistant coach/director of scouting. Spoelstra has been Riley's handpicked successor since at least January 2007. That was when Riley hinted as much when a rumor surfaced Riley would retire and name Mike Fratello his replacement.
Spoelstra is credited with helping Dwyane Wade perfect his jump shot, now a featured part of Wade's game.
"I believe in coach 'Spo' and have complete confidence that our team will succeed with him at the helm," Wade said in a statement.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT: Not many. Perhaps securing the worst record in the league. Seriously. It assures a top-four pick and helps move along the rebuilding process.
TURNING POINT: The November practice run-in between coach Pat Riley and former center Shaquille O'Neal. Alonzo Mourning had to intervene before it got physical. It was at that point the relationship between Riley and O'Neal hit the breaking point. That led to the February trade that brought Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks and signaled the Heat was giving up on the season.
