Is Erik Spoelstra about to get fired?

[footey]

I am not blaming him for the Heat's troubles, but someone has to get the blame, and it won't be Lebron or Wade.  Seems like Riles has to shake things up by stepping in. I feel that Erik is about to get the pink slip. Only thing that could be stopping Pat is knowing this team, as constituted, has no shot to win it all.

[Bahku]

I am not blaming him for the Heat's troubles, but someone has to get the blame, and it won't be Lebron or Wade.  Seems like Riles has to shake things up by stepping in. I feel that Erik is about to get the pink slip. Only thing that could be stopping Pat is knowing this team, as constituted, has no shot to win it all.

There's a lot of that talk going around this morning ... people are not at all impressed with the "Players are crying in the locker-room" statement. Personally, I think it's much ado about nothing, but when a team like this is struggling, he's the likely first head to roll.

[Roy H.]

I think Spoelstra might think so.  What other possible justification can he have for telling reporters that his players are "crying" in the locker room?  What possible good comes from that?  The media and fans are now mocking the manhood of the Heat players, and this is in large part due to inside information given by the coach.

The only thing I can think of is that Spoelstra knows he's on his way out, and is preemptively saying "It's not my fault, these guys are a bunch of mentally weak pansies".

[Roy H.]

I am not blaming him for the Heat's troubles, but someone has to get the blame, and it won't be Lebron or Wade.  Seems like Riles has to shake things up by stepping in. I feel that Erik is about to get the pink slip. Only thing that could be stopping Pat is knowing this team, as constituted, has no shot to win it all.

There's a lot of that talk going around this morning ... people are not at all impressed with the "Players are crying in the locker-room" statement. Personally, I think it's much ado about nothing, but when a team like this is struggling, he's the likely first head to roll.

Ah, interesting.  I haven't read / seen anything on that, but see my post above.  I thought it was a weird thing for a coach to say.

[Jeff]

I think Spoelstra might think so.  What other possible justification can he have for telling reporters that his players are "crying" in the locker room?  What possible good comes from that?  The media and fans are now mocking the manhood of the Heat players, and this is in large part due to inside information given by the coach.

The only thing I can think of is that Spoelstra knows he's on his way out, and is preemptively saying "It's not my fault, these guys are a bunch of mentally weak pansies".

interesting theory - I guess anything is possible at this point

just unfathomable thinking of Doc doing something like that

coaching matters - we're lucky to have Doc

[Greenbean]

I am not blaming him for the Heat's troubles, but someone has to get the blame, and it won't be Lebron or Wade.  Seems like Riles has to shake things up by stepping in. I feel that Erik is about to get the pink slip. Only thing that could be stopping Pat is knowing this team, as constituted, has no shot to win it all.

There's a lot of that talk going around this morning ... people are not at all impressed with the "Players are crying in the locker-room" statement. Personally, I think it's much ado about nothing, but when a team like this is struggling, he's the likely first head to roll.

Ah, interesting.  I haven't read / seen anything on that, but see my post above.  I thought it was a weird thing for a coach to say.

I was thinking the same thing.

The last thing that team needs is something else for the media to latch on to. Either poor damage control, heat of the moment slip of the tongue, or...what you said...he knows his days are numbered.

[Bahku]

I am not blaming him for the Heat's troubles, but someone has to get the blame, and it won't be Lebron or Wade.  Seems like Riles has to shake things up by stepping in. I feel that Erik is about to get the pink slip. Only thing that could be stopping Pat is knowing this team, as constituted, has no shot to win it all.

There's a lot of that talk going around this morning ... people are not at all impressed with the "Players are crying in the locker-room" statement. Personally, I think it's much ado about nothing, but when a team like this is struggling, he's the likely first head to roll.

Ah, interesting.  I haven't read / seen anything on that, but see my post above.  I thought it was a weird thing for a coach to say.

Yup, you pretty much nailed it ... it was one of the main topics on "Mike & Mike" and a big topic on a number of other sports shows this morning. Not really that people minded players crying over a loss, but just why a coach would say that kind of thing to the general public, as it can reflect very negatively on the players in our very macho, testosterone-driven sports world.

[Chris]

It would take a lot more to get him fired right now, since it would do no good, and Riley will want to really pick his replacement carefully.  But unless they win a championship, I think he is gone in the offseason...and will be happy about it.  This was a no-win situation for him from the beginning, and the earlier he can get out, the less damage it will do to him longterm.

[fairweatherfan]

I think Spoelstra might think so.  What other possible justification can he have for telling reporters that his players are "crying" in the locker room?  What possible good comes from that?  The media and fans are now mocking the manhood of the Heat players, and this is in large part due to inside information given by the coach.

The only thing I can think of is that Spoelstra knows he's on his way out, and is preemptively saying "It's not my fault, these guys are a bunch of mentally weak pansies".

I'd chalk it up more to a young coach who's never been under anything close to this kind of media spotlight.  It seemed like he was trying to defend the players against an accusation that nobody was really making - that they didn't care about the losses - and stuck his foot in his mouth.  Pretty defensive, and may show that he's insecure about the job he's doing, but I don't think it means he knows he's getting fired soon.

That said I think Spoelstra will be gone this offseason, barring a title this year.  But firing him now would change the current vibe around this team from "major skid" to "the Titanic has hit the iceberg".  I think Riley will be a little more patient with 5 more years on everybody's deals.

[Greenbean]

I am not blaming him for the Heat's troubles, but someone has to get the blame, and it won't be Lebron or Wade.  Seems like Riles has to shake things up by stepping in. I feel that Erik is about to get the pink slip. Only thing that could be stopping Pat is knowing this team, as constituted, has no shot to win it all.

There's a lot of that talk going around this morning ... people are not at all impressed with the "Players are crying in the locker-room" statement. Personally, I think it's much ado about nothing, but when a team like this is struggling, he's the likely first head to roll.

Ah, interesting.  I haven't read / seen anything on that, but see my post above.  I thought it was a weird thing for a coach to say.

Yup, you pretty much nailed it ... it was one of the main topics on "Mike & Mike" and a big topic on a number of other sports shows this morning. Not really that people minded players crying over a loss, but just why a coach would say that kind of thing to the general public, as it can reflect very negatively on the players in our very macho, testosterone-driven sports world.

Ive already exchanged several mocking text messages with friends on the topic. Is it a little mean? Yes.

Can I help it? No

Thanks Spo...

[Roy H.]

It would take a lot more to get him fired right now, since it would do no good, and Riley will want to really pick his replacement carefully.  But unless they win a championship, I think he is gone in the offseason...and will be happy about it.  This was a no-win situation for him from the beginning, and the earlier he can get out, the less damage it will do to him longterm.

I think pretty much the whole world assumes that Riley already has Spoelstra's replacement in mind, and that replacement's initials are "P.R."  However, I think you may be right not to buy that assumption, because I'm not sure that Reilly thinks this team is good enough to win yet, and he doesn't want to do the heavy lifting required.

[Chris]

It would take a lot more to get him fired right now, since it would do no good, and Riley will want to really pick his replacement carefully.  But unless they win a championship, I think he is gone in the offseason...and will be happy about it.  This was a no-win situation for him from the beginning, and the earlier he can get out, the less damage it will do to him longterm.

I think pretty much the whole world assumes that Riley already has Spoelstra's replacement in mind, and that replacement's initials are "P.R."  However, I think you may be right not to buy that assumption, because I'm not sure that Reilly thinks this team is good enough to win yet, and he doesn't want to do the heavy lifting required.

I'm less convinced Riley wants to coach anymore, but even if he does, I am sure he has no interest in taking over this sinking ship right now.  He could do it in the offseason, but right now, its a suicide mission to take it over.

[clover]

How many people here could possibly be Lebron's coach and not want to strangle him?

[GreenEnvy]

As soon as this team was formed, it was obvious Spoelstra was in a no-win situation. If they won 75 games, he would get no credit, it was simply the greatest team ever assembled. And if they struggled, he would be the first blamed.

But at this point, they really can't make a coaching change. I personally don't think Riley wants any part of coaching them (atleast not this season), because if they lose, he will then have nobody to blame but himself.

[wdleehi]

The only way I think it happen mid season is if Riley thinks he knows what the magic button for this team is.





I think Spoelstra needs to go.  There is to much confusion on rolls right now, this deep into the season. 


They need someone with real NBA clout behind him for these guys to adjust.