Miami's reward system

[Drucci]

A simple reward system has contributed to Miami's current eight-game winning streak.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra set parameters that reward his superstars with offensive freedom when they excel on the defensive end.

If Dwyane Wade grabs a defensive rebound, he has the green light to do whatever he wants offensively. If LeBron James makes a defensive stop, he controls his own game on the other end of the court.

"Our job is to defend and then we get rewarded with what we want to do on offense," James said.

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/70563/20101213/reward_system_at_heart_of_miamis_winning_streak/#ixzz182hToXCi

So basically the Heat players can go all "Harlem Globe Trotters" when they get a stop... hmm.

[indeedproceed]

that's so stupid I'd be really surprised if it was real. If it is actually real any kind of "Erik Spolestra is a good coach" schpiel I had left is officially gone.

[Lucky17]

Spoelstra has also handed out gold stars, smiley-face stickers, and cookies at the end of Heat practices to that day's "bestest players".

[Cman]

Spoelstra has also handed out gold stars, smiley-face stickers, and cookies at the end of Heat practices to that day's "bestest players".

Also,

Heat players are known to prefer Coach Spoelstra's hugs to the stars, stickers and cookies.  Says star LeBron James "Coach S just knows when we all need a little hug, he's the best".

 

[bdm860]

A simple reward system has contributed to Miami's current eight-game winning streak.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra set parameters that reward his superstars with offensive freedom when they excel on the defensive end.

If Dwyane Wade grabs a defensive rebound, he has the green light to do whatever he wants offensively. If LeBron James makes a defensive stop, he controls his own game on the other end of the court.

"Our job is to defend and then we get rewarded with what we want to do on offense," James said.

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/70563/20101213/reward_system_at_heart_of_miamis_winning_streak/#ixzz182hToXCi

So basically the Heat players can go all "Harlem Globe Trotters" when they get a stop... hmm.

How could that even work?  I doubt its real.  Those things are so subjectional.

Like sure if DWade went and tried to fight for a defensive rebound, that's one thing.  Sometimes its obvious when a player goes and makes an effort to grab a rebound.

But what about a long rebound that just happens to fall in his hands.  Now Wade is just going to go do whatever he wants cuz he got a lucky rebound?  I think DWade is a little more level headed then that though, LeBron on the other hand...

I can see LeBron guarding some idiot like Tony Allen, who throws up an ill advised shot, dribbles off his shoe, just makes a terrible pass to nobody, whatever pick your poison here.   So LeBron will say, "hey I made a stop" and will go do whatever he wants on the other end.  Then Spoelstra will yell at LeBron, and LeBron will say "I made a stop" and Spoelstra will yell "Tony Allen taking a bad shot and missing when you're 5 feet away does not count as a defensive stop."  Making a stop is definitely way too subjectional.  Especially with LeBron.  He probably thinks every time the offensive doesn't score it's because HE made a stop.

[raynman]

Please stop hatin' on Spoelstra..
First of all, he's Filipino (like myself)!
And he's a pretty good coach , remember last year's Heat?
For a young coach to be thrust into this kind of situation and pressure (especially dealing with these divas), he's really doing pretty well..
Now, if that stupid reward system is the only way to motivate his stupid superstars, then let him do it..
Coach Spo doesn't deserve any crap, it's just too bad he's on Lebron's team.

[indeedproceed]

Spoelstra has also handed out gold stars, smiley-face stickers, and cookies at the end of Heat practices to that day's "bestest players".

I read that and clicked on drucci's link just to make sure it wasn't an onion sports article or something. That's how stupid the real story sounded.

[StartOrien]

Reward systems might not always be popular, but they are effective:

You get a ritz

[Mike-Dub]

I really hope this isn't true.  If it is Spoelstra should be fired.

[nickagneta]

If they play poorly does he threaten to take away their XBox and PS3 and make them go stand in a corner?

This is so outlandish. There's no way it can be true.

Of course, if it is, its just further proof of the tail wagging the dog in Miami.

[soap07]

If they play poorly does he threaten to take away their XBox and PS3 and make them go stand in a corner?

This is so outlandish. There's no way it can be true.

Of course, if it is, its just further proof of the tail wagging the dog in Miami.

Whatever it is, it's clearly working right now. I don't think anyone can argue that.

[Eja117]

desperate times call for desperate measures.

Heart of champions right there. Eye of the tiger.

[openairmovie]

If im joel anthony Im grabbing every rebound i can because I know dang well its my only chance to call my own number given that lebron wont give him the light of day.....anyone for that matter

I can see two heat players fighting for a rebound so that they can call the shot the next time on offense, only to be snuck up from behind by Rondo for the steal and easy layup

[LB3533]

I kinda believe it.

"Young" teams need time to mature....it takes time.

You can' just can't make Lebron or Wade "mature" fast enough if they don't want to.

So this reward system makes total sense.

[Cman]

If they play poorly does he threaten to take away their XBox and PS3 and make them go stand in a corner?

This is so outlandish. There's no way it can be true.

Of course, if it is, its just further proof of the tail wagging the dog in Miami.

Whatever it is, it's clearly working right now. I don't think anyone can argue that.

Very true.

Miami is on a 10 game win streak, and is 2.5 games behind Boston.  They seemed to have turned the corner, and if the gold stars did it ( ), then kudos to them.