Amid a tumultuous year, the Miami Heat did the one thing they thought made the most sense — make sure they lock up their championship coach for the long term.
Erik Spoelstra has apparently signed an extension with the only NBA team he's ever worked for.
According to a report by Sun-Sentinel.com, the Heat made no official announcement of the deal. Spoelstra spilled the beans before the Heat faced the Boston Celtics on Friday when he thanked team management for offering him a contract extension, which he accepted.
The length of the deal and the money involved were not disclosed. Spoelstra's current contract runs until the end of the season.
"I just feel very grateful that I have an opportunity with a team like this," Spoelstra said.
He has been the Heat's head coach since 2009, a stretch that included back-to-back championships.
They're so far removed though from those halcyon days.
The Heat currently sit 3rd from bottom in the East with a 10-24 record. They haven't decided yet what to do with all-star center Chris Bosh, who has had serious heart problems and whom the Heat refuse to play. They let Dwyane Wade go, too, a shocking decision that didn't sit well with fans.
By keeping Spoelstra, the Heat are investing in stability and a young, adaptable basketball mind who has proven he can lead superstars to the title but must now wear more of a mentor's hat to help a new crop of players develop their game.
"His philosophy," Riley said in the same Sun Sentinel report, "as coach to me is, 'Bring them to me and I’ll coach them.' That's it. That's the way it has to be right now. He's very involved in the process all the time. Every single player that we talk about or sign, he gives the nod because I don't want to send him anybody that he doesn't want."
Spoelstra, 46, started his career with the Heat in 1997 as an assistant coach. He is now the second longest tenured head coach behind the San Antonio Spurs' Gregg Popovich.
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