Just a couple weeks ago there was everything but a countdown clock for when Pat Riley was going to come down from on high and tell Erik Spoelstra to go spend more time with his family. Or, go get a wife and family to spend time with. Either way, get out.
Now, six wins later (and a quality one against the Jazz), Spoelstra is back to being a boy genius.
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said all the talk around Spoelstra was unfair and, um, organic fertilizer. The Palm Beach Post has the quote (from before the game and the Heat won):
“They execute very well, what they’re trying to do,” Sloan said. “Defensively, they’re very very sound and strong. I think he does a terrific job for a young coach or an old coach either, it doesn’t make any difference. I think he’s done a great job. It’s sad to have to listen to all the B.S. about this and that with his coaching. He just doesn’t have a frame of reference, and that’s what people get anxious about. Because a guy hasn’t won three or four championships, or done something like that, he doesn’t get as long as he should. But that’s part of this business, you have to know it when you get into it, because it can be short-lived.”
