Even though the Miami Heat have lost a few important games lately, they are still in a playoff picture and head coach Erik Spoelstra is still one of the front-runners for Coach of the Year award. Spoelstra was praised by Pat Riley, Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic and most recently, Kevin Durant. Durant, who is injured and has missed last 16 games for the Golden State Warriors, called Spoelstra one of the best coaches in the entire NBA.
Durant and Spoelstra had a chance to meet at the NBA's biggest stage in 2012 when the Miami Heat faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA finals.
The Heat were victorious after five games in what was Erik Spoelstra's first NBA championship as a head coach.
Erik Spoelstra is underrated
Spoelstra doesn't deserve enough credit for what he has done this season and he still remains one of the most underrated coaches in the league. “I think coach Spoelstra is definitely underrated,” Kevin Durant said on Bill Simmons' podcast. The Warriors superstar also said that Erik Spoelstra is one of the best coaches in the league and that he's been one of the best coaches for the last six years.
When these words come from Kevin Durant, it definitely means a lot since he is one of the best players in the league. Miami Heat tried to sign Durant last summer, but he decided to stay in the West and sign with the Golden State Warriors.
Kevin Durant is impressed by the Miami Heat
Durant commented on LeBron James' extensive minutes and compared it to his tenure in Miami. The former MVP said how Erik Spoelstra put LeBron in a great position and that helped James keep his body intact. There is no doubt that Durant sees the value of Spoelstra's coaching and the system the Heat play in.
When he was asked which team he's been most impressed by this season, Kevin Durant pointed at Miami once again. "They’re impressive. Really impressive. They were 11-30 and what’s their record now? They’re balling," added the Warriors forward.
At the moment, the Miami Heat are the eighth seed in the East and they have six games left in the season.
They play four playoff teams in these last few games and it will be tough for them to remain in the playoff picture. However, if they do stay in the picture and qualify for the postseason, there will be no doubt that Erik Spoelstra is one of the best coaches in the NBA and that the Heat had one of the most impressive turnarounds in the NBA history.
