MIAMI — Erik Spoelstra has had similar moments before, coaching against a mentor in Stan Van Gundy and against a protege in David Fizdale.

But Monday at Kaseya Center was different.

No, Dusty May never coached alongside Erik Spoelstra and, yet, as with many coaches in South Florida during Spoelstra’s 19-year tenure as Heat coach, a bond was forged.

It was, in fact, just three years ago that  the two could be seen huddling at Florida Atlantic University during yet another Heat training camp in Boca Raton, Spoelstra’s Heat coming off an appearance in the NBA Finals, May off an appearance with FAU in the NCAA’s Final Four.

It was a moment that oozed sideline success.

And, as we learned Monday, one that was part of enduring respect.

In the interim, Spoelstra had hired May’s son Jack as a Heat video intern, signed Vlad Goldin out of May’s Michigan program, and, as we learned during the coaches’ pregame interviews before the Mavericks defeated the Heat on Monday night, for years has huddled with May numerous times in meetings of basketball minds.

So Spoelstra still in the same space as Heat coach.

But since those informal conversations during that 2023 Heat training camp at FAU, May went on to become a championship coach last April in Michigan and now stands as Mavericks coach.

“It’s happened fast,” Spoelstra said of May’s rise up the basketball charts. “When he was at FAU, we got to know him, and we were fans from afar.

“And then got to know him, ironically, better and more often when we were able to see him when he went to Michigan, because of Jack, his son, being in our video room. He would fly down three or four times a year, stop by the gym and everything.”

Sharing thoughts.

And, it turns out, stealing thoughts.

“I came down, I probably watched 50 practices or workouts in the offseason,” May said of the Heat’s sessions. “Spent a couple training camps with him, so a lot of what we do has been things that we’ve stolen from them, and from studying and watching them and finding creative ideas.”

And, technically, stolen staff, having not only hired his son away from the Heat, but also adding former Heat shooting coach Rob Fodor.

All while also keeping tabs on another element of the Heat/FAU connection, Goldin the center for FAU’s 2023 Final Four team before moving on with May to Michigan.

“A lot of us got together at his wedding this summer,” May said of the Heat 7-footer who is under two-way contract for a second year. “Just incredibly happy for him to be in this organization, to be developing as he is and just waiting on his opportunity.”

Unlike Spoelstra, May’s has been a career of constant movement, as assistant at Eastern Michigan, Murray State, Alabama-Birmingham, Louisiana Tech and Florida, then coach at FAU from 2018-24, then on to Michigan from 2024-26, and now guiding Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks.

“I think we’re all wired differently as people,” May, 49, said of his odyssey compared to Spoelstra’s stability. “I’ve been a basketball vagabond even as a young assistant, and I thought it was a great thing other than what it does to your family, because you meet so many different people.

“Whenever you’re on a quest to become the best you can be, I think as many experiences, as many basketball opportunities you can find, get. I’m so grateful to learn from all the players and assistant coaches and head coaches that I’ve worked for.”

But that doesn’t preclude respect for the Heat’s commitment to continuity.

“Obviously, they have their way of doing it here, and if you can hang on, hopefully I can hang on,” he said. “They have been successful as long as they have, that’s obviously the gold standard. My path was just a little bit different.”

But, Spoelstra, 55, said, one worthy of the respect afforded with this NBA opportunity.

“He’s a heck of a coach,” Spoelstra said. “There’s no doubt about it. He can have success like he had staying in college, but the way he coaches, I think, is built for the NBA.

“It’s really a credit to his communication skills, and he’s relentless as a learner.”

IN THE LANE

PERSONAL PRIDE: As the NBA’s first Asian-American coach, the Heat’s Erik Spoelstra found himself taking personal pride during the WNBA Finals in the work of Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, a third-generation Japanese-American. “I got to know her a long time ago when she was a video coordinator in college, and then we stayed in touch. She reached out to me to talk to me about just learning,” said Spoelstra, who is of Filipino descent. “I think she’s one of the great learners in this game. She’s relentless about trying to get better, improve. I love her humility.” Nakase’s resume includes a stint as a Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach. “I love her path that she’s taken to get to there,” continued Spoelstra, who himself started his climb as a video coordinator. “She hasn’t skipped any steps. She’s literally one of the hardest workers in this profession. I’ve admired her for a long time for her stamina, for her fortitude, for her relentlessness, and she’s an amazing human being. I root for her all the time.” Spoelstra said the Heat staff typically roots for the Las Vegas Aces, because of Bam Adebayo’s relationship with A’ja Wilson. But otherwise he said Nakase has his WNBA attention. “She inspires me. She really does,” he said. ‘The way she’s grown and improved, it inspires me to stay with that kind of growth mindset.”

GOT AWAY: Yes, that was former Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. going for 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting Monday night in a critical bench effort in the Dallas Mavericks’ victory over the Heat. The same Clayton who was available on waivers to any of the league’s teams, eventually taking a two-way deal with Dallas. “I think last year was an up-and-down year,” Clayton, who split last season between the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies, said, according to Dallas’ Morning News. “I only take it as a learning year. I think we go through everything for a reason. I’m thankful for last year and I’m glad to be here in Dallas.” Clayton said he appreciates the Dallas expectations are basic. “Just be a good lead guard, make sure the team is organized whenever I’m on the floor, hit shots,” said Clayton, the No. 18 pick out of Florida in 2025. “I think that’s it. Make sure everybody’s involved.”

THE KASPARAS FILE: The NBA’s focus on flopping has landed firmly on a former Heat prospect, with 2025 first-round pick Kasparas Jakučionis fined twice after the fact by the NBA for perceived flops in his action with the Milwaukee Bucks. That’s at $2,000 a pop. Along the way, Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, a teammate on Lithuania’s national team, said Jakučionis arguably is in a better place. “He’s going to have his chance in Milwaukee,” Buzelis said, according to BasketNews. “I’m excited for him. He works extremely hard, he’s a humble kid, and he’s going to strive to accomplish his goals. We’re going to be the new leaders of the Lithuanian national team. Representing Lithuania, it’s going to be great whenever we play, whenever we cross paths.” Jakučionis was part of the Heat’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

THE KELLY FILE: Speaking of foreign intrigue, former Heat big man Kelly Olynyk is making the most of his time in Italy, having signed with BC Roma after being bypassed in NBA free agency this summer. “I played 13 years in the NBA; it was time to step aside and make room for the younger generation,” Olynyk said during his introductory media session, according to Repubblica. As part of his acclimation, Olynyk even took in a Serie A game as a fan. “There was incredible energy. The style was a bit different from the NBA,” he said, “but the fans were deeply passionate, and that’s the exact kind of environment every player wants to be in.”

ON A ROLL: So, of course, the Detroit Pistons’ early-season scoring leaders have been Cade Cunningham and . . . Duncan Robinson. Robinson said he finds himself far more at ease in his second season with the Pistons, after being dealt by the Heat during the 2025 offseason for Simone Fontecchio in a salary-cap move. “I am a lot more comfortable in year two. Just being able to be around these guys in the locker room and the coaching staff has helped me a ton,” Robinson said, according to the Detroit News. “They have allowed me to be the best version of myself. So, for me, it’s about picking my spots in stretches where I need to be more aggressive, while understanding moments when I need to floor-space. This is only something I think I’ve gotten better at over the years.”

NUMBER

4. Players to play double-digit seasons with the Heat, with Bam Adebayo joining the group in this, his 10th Heat season. The record is 20 seasons by Udonis Haslem, with 15 by Dwyane Wade and 11 by Alonzo Mourning.