Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade has praised longtime head coach Erik Spoelstra, recalling their relationship and the dedication that helped Spoelstra become one of the NBA’s most successful coaches.
Speaking during a visit to the Philippines, Wade discussed Spoelstra’s early years with the Heat organization and how their relationship developed before he became the team’s head coach.
The three-time NBA champion recalled that Spoelstra initially worked in Miami’s video department before gradually taking on additional coaching responsibilities.
Wade explained that the two developed a close relationship through individual workouts, long before Spoelstra was promoted to head coach in 2008.
“Shoutout to Spo. One thing Spo does he keeps the main thing the main thing … he got his start in a video room … it was so cool to come to Miami and see a young Erik Spoelstra … he would only come to practice when he would work me out, so he was my workout buddy, and we built a bond from that … 5 years later he was my head coach … he’s one of the greatest coaches … you see Spo all the time, we were like, ‘Do you go home? Do you have a life outside of this?’ … he was always in the arena … me and UD would do anything as leaders – to make sure Spo was protected …”
