Question of the day: Will Erik Spoelstra last the entire season as the coach of the Miami Heat?
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Writers from around the Tribune Co. weigh in on the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses and feel free to leave a comment of your own.
K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune
Pat Riley has developed a well-earned reputation as a win-at-all-costs competitor, sort of the Michael Jordan of the boardroom. Nevertheless, I still say Erik Spoelstra finishes the season as Heat coach.
For starters, Spoelstra didn’t get dumber during the off-season, and he’s already considered one of the brighter young minds in the NBA. Secondly, Riley got his competitive jones last summer, when he scored the remarkable coup of landing LeBron James and Chris Bosh and re-signing Dwyane Wade. Integrating those players will take some time. And everybody knew the Heat still had deficiencies at center and point guard.
Finally, Riley and Spoelstra are close. And they communicate all the time. I know there’s this perception Riley can back-stab anybody. But I just don’t see it here. I can see meddling and suggestions. I can’t see a firing.