Riley gives Spoelstra vote of confidence

Erik Spoelstra. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

MIAMI – Miami Heat president Pat Riley expressed confidence in his coach Erik Spoelstra on Tuesday, saying he had no plans to return to coaching.

“It doesn’t mean that I don’t have the fire,” Riley said. “But we have a great young coach here and I want to support him and hope that he can grow like I did. This is just his third year.”

Riley’s vote of confidence in Spoelstra shot down speculation that he might be pondering going behind the bench again.

Riley ended his Hall of Fame coaching career three years ago, before hiring Spoelstra as his replacement.

In three seasons of coaching, Spoelstra has a 148-98 record, including an 18-15 record in the playoffs.

Riley was speaking just over a week after the Heat lost in the NBA finals in six games to the Dallas Mavericks. He expressed disappointment at the loss but added he would try to surround Miami’s three stars LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade with a stronger supporting cast.
“I’ll say it. I’m not afraid to say it,” Riley said. “We are going to be multiple contenders. We will contend.

“I know what everybody expected here, but it didn’t happen.”