Q: Erik Spoelstra is John Harbaugh. It was a great run, but has run its course. Ira, this is when you tell us about how he is a Hall of Fame coach and teams will line up for his services if he ever leaves the Heat. That\u2019s what\u2019s happening with Harbaugh, but the Ravens said it was time. \u2013 Ted.<\/p>\n
A: Well, that is a reasonably cogent thought, at least when it comes to lengthy tenures with diminishing results. But wasn\u2019t the NBA community earlier this season raving about how Erik Spoelstra adapted with the Heat\u2019s new offense, proved willing to change 18 years into the process? I agree that sometimes it can feel like it\u2019s getting old<\/a>. But the Heat\u2019s way when it has gotten old is to realign the roster, which also tends to then refresh the Spoelstra approach. That still would seem to be the preferable approach. You don\u2019t get to be the Team USA Olympic coach without universal respect from those who know the most. Now, if the thought is it is getting tired and stale, then you move on, as the Ravens did. But also be careful what you wish for, because the grass isn\u2019t always greener. In fact, it rarely is.<\/p>\n Q: How many more years will you allow Erik Spoelstra with this nonsense that frankly feels old news saying things like \u201cwe have to figure out,\u201d \u201cis a process,\u201d \u201cwe have to get to our identity\u201d and blah blah blah. \u2013 Jerry, Miami.<\/p>\n A: As long as he wants? Which generally is the process with Hall of Fame-level coaches. Consider what Erik Spoelstra has to work with. When there is not a superstar in the house, teams generally get left behind in the NBA. In the East, the Pistons have Cade Cunningham, the Knicks have Jalen Brunson, the Celtics have Jaylen Brown, the Cavaliers have Donovan Mitchell. The Heat do not have anyone of that caliber. So what you are asking is to overachieve. Sometimes a coach can get that. But that also is the exception. Erik Spoelstra has won with talent. Not many win without. In the blame game, the greater question is how this roster has (or has not) been crafted.<\/p>\n