Among probably the most pleasant elements of Erik Spoelstra’s offseason was assembly with Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel.
It additionally was probably the most sobering.
Spoelstra, 51, was once the younger gun amongst South Florida coaches. Now that torch has been handed to McDaniel, 39.
“I really like these trips and connecting with people outside of our industry,” Spoelstra mentioned Thursday, because the Miami Heat continued their coaching camp on the Baha Mar resort. “You have a bit of little bit of a distinct perspective on the identical form of challenges and issues that we’re all attempting to unravel. So you’ll find yourself studying rather a lot from that. And then, speaking to youthful coaches, it was once that I might by no means discover a youthful coach.
“And so now, I’m starting to turn into this veteran coach, which I don’t want to accept yet. I still think it’s a misprint when it says I’m starting my 15th year as a head coach. When Pat [Riley] told me that 10 years would go by in the snap of a finger, I think I rolled my eyes at him. And then 14 years have flown by in the snap of a finger and it kind of freaks me out.”
Spoelstra typically has visited with soccer coaches through the offseason throughout the age spectrum, together with with Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, 71.
He mentioned the time with McDaniel was significantly refreshing.
“He just comes across as really experienced, extremely sharp,” Spoelstra mentioned. “I really feel like once I was that age and simply beginning off, I had no thought what I wished to do. I actually didn’t know easy methods to develop my teaching voice. That took me two or three years.
“It’s fun. We really enjoyed going to practice and talking some shop. But then, afterwards, seeing what the process was, very innovative thinkers in that building, and obviously their start has been really enjoyable for everybody.”
The assembly was arrange by means of Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel.
“I met with Tom last year over dinner. It was something I wanted to do last year and it didn’t work out with the schedule,” Spoelstra mentioned of the NBA calendar having been reset in earlier years as a result of pandemic. “We had a little bit more time, a more normal offseason, so the schedules aligned and we were able to have it. It was a lot of fun.”
Right place
Spoelstra mentioned he appreciates the advantages of the Heat’s third camp within the Bahamas, first since 2017.
“It gives us an opportunity to get away and spend a lot of time together,” he mentioned. “Meal rooms, in between follow time, night conferences, dinners collectively, we wish to construct that connection. This is a good way to do it. And we love the Bahamas. We do.
“Our guys are here during the offseason quite a bit, All-Star break, right after the season. Even last year, the players came here right before the playoffs. It’s a beautiful place and it’s a great setting to start the season.”
For Spoelstra, it has been a case of becoming a member of camp in progress, having missed Tuesday’s opening session following the Monday start of his daughter.
“Right now, I’m late to the party,” he mentioned. “So I’m just trying to fast track and make sure I’m organized for the practices. It’s going by fast. I can’t believe we only have two more days of camp.”
Haslem sits
Udonis Haslem was the lone participant held out of Thursday’s follow, with the 42-year-old veteran ahead held out for relaxation.
Spoelstra mentioned Haslem’s mentoring presence has been tangible.
“I wish all of our players could have that kind of mentality,” he mentioned. “Eventually, I want my kids to have that same kind of mindset. It’s a very giving mindset.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com