And six! Returning to the podium of the Eastern Conference, the Heat won a 6th victory in a row last night, but also the 4th in a row away from home. On each bench, experienced coaches, with on one side Eric Spoelstrawho has been working in Miami for 15 years, while Steve Clifford began his career as a head coach in 2013. One thing in common: they both started at the bottom of the ladder.
“He and I started a long time ago,” confirms Steve Clifford at Sun-Sentinel. “We were scouts together when I was with the Knicks and he was with the Heat. So we traveled a lot together and we’ve always been good friends. »
When Erik Spoelstra adapted to “Three Amigos”
A friendship which has transformed into respect, even admiration, given the track record of “Spo” with three NBA titles and six Finals, but also by its ability to create an identity.
“He’s done it so well for so long, and one of the things I’ve always respected is how he radically changed the way they played after Coach Riley. While at that time, there was no one better than him” recalls Steve Clifford. “It doesn’t happen in one day. You don’t arrive one morning and say to yourself: ‘I’m going to change the pick-and-roll defense.’ It’s a daily battle. When they created their “Big Three”, he became more conceptual with them. I think with Pat Riley, they had systems and variations, and it was set like clockwork. After a year with these guys, Erik made a big adjustment: fewer systems but more concepts.”
“Every year, the Heat finds solutions”
Another important change: the choice of zone defense. “The Heat and the Blazers are the only teams that defend in zone” continues the Charlotte coach. “Everyone else does it too. Because everyone sees them play, and it’s very effective. But they play in zone. While the rest of us, we place ourselves in the zone. We position ourselves, but we don’t know what to do, and we go back to being individual. »
For Steve Clifford, it was no surprise to see the Heat in the NBA final, even though Jimmy Butler and his teammates had to come out of the play-in.
“Erik did everything it took to get here. When you look at the playoffs, you have to be good at a lot of things. For me, Denver has the most strengths on offense. But Miami has the best defense, and that to me is a tribute to the way they do things. Each year, the Heat finds solutions in the way they play, and as the season progresses, they reach the next level. »
