Pat Riley Says Erik Spoelstra Is The Best Coach In The NBA Right Now

The Miami Heat finished the 2022-23 regular season as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Heat then went on until the 2023 NBA Finals, where they lost 1-4 vs. the Denver Nuggets.

Many are wondering what's next for the Heat after losing the second finals in four years. Heat president Pat Riley recently addressed the season in an interview. Riley praised Erik Spoelstra and labeled him as the best coach in the league.

"We have who I think is the best coach in the league," Riley said. "So, I'm feeling good today."

(Starts at 6:26)

Erik Spoelstra is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the NBA. He has surely helped the Heat stay competitive during his stint with the organization, but he has failed multiple times to get the team over the final hump.

Either way, Riley has full trust in Spoelstra. And it's safe to say his job is safe with the franchise. Spoelstra has a 58.9 win percentage over 15 seasons as the head coach of the Heat.

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Pat Riley Is Not Ready To Blow Up The Miami Heat

Jimmy Butler is the primary superstar of the Miami Heat. Although Butler has done extremely well as a member of the Heat, one may wonder if it's time for Pat Riley to get him some more.

However, Riley said it is on Jimmy's shoulder to carry the team next season. At the same time, Pat is not ready to take the wrecking ball to the Heat.

"We’re not going to take a wrecking ball to this thing,” Riley said. "Good times come, good times come. Hard times come, hard times come. We’re not going to take a wrecking ball to a good team that had some real adversity this year. We had a good team, probably a great team. We wouldn’t have as gotten as far as we have, and there’s no caveat in any of that, if you weren’t a great team."

But does that mean Riley doesn't want to land a big star on the Heat roster? Most certainly not. Riley is currently being careful to avoid getting reckless.

 “Subtle moves will be enough, if they’re the right movies," Riley said. "I plan on hitting big again. I’m not just swinging for the fences right now, because it could be reckless.”

The Heat have been heavily linked with players like Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard. Beal has already been traded to the Phoenix Suns, so he's certainly off Miami's radar.

But the franchise can still make a push for Damian Lillard. Dame has been on Heat's target list for quite some time. As of now, no further movement has taken place in Heat's pursuit of Lillard.

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