Ira Winderman: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra back at it with rejuvenation, not resignation

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Oct 5, 2025

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At times last season, there were questions about whether the feistiness was gone, amid a season dragged down by the Jimmy Butler circus as well injuries that prevented anything close to continuity.

After Erik Spoelstra guided — at least attempted to guide — the Heat through what turned into the most lopsided playoff-series rout in NBA history, no less than Heat President Pat Riley spoke of Spoelstra needing a break, time to get away.

The question was whether that would lead to rejuvenation or resignation.

No, not literal resignation, even as some wonder whether Spoelstra is heir apparent to Riley in the Heat management hierarchy, just as Brad Stevens made the shift from sideline to executive suite with the Boston Celtics.

After 17 seasons of leading the way, the league’s longest-tenured coach with a single team after health forced Gregg Popovich to step aside with the San Antonio Spurs, outside perspective was whether the finish line was approaching.

But by the time Spoelstra arrived at summer league in July, it was clear the job was not finished. His interview session after a summer-squad practice session in Las Vegas was one of invigoration, for the first time in three summers receiving an offseason break from his coaching duties with USA Basketball.

And then came this past week’s training camp at Florida Atlantic University, where Spoelstra made it clear that Season 18 would be one of ongoing passion and perseverance.

“I love coaching,” he said. “I love what I do. I’m extremely grateful.”

Even with nothing given about what is to follow after a 37-45 season and third consecutive trip to the treacherous play-in round, his roster arguably less talented than at this point a year ago.

“If you’re in this business long enough,” Spoelstra said, as the Heat turned their attention to Saturday night’s exhibition against the Orlando Magic in Puerto Rico, “you understand there’s going to be different chapters. There’s different challenges. It felt natural to turn the page.

“It’s a different team. It’s a new path, and that can be invigorating.”

Then there are the actions that detail the passion.

And, yes, that diligence and vigilance still very much is there, again challenging second-year center Kel’el Ware to be more, do more, show more.

“We’re pushing him,” Spoelstra said, “to be able to do it more consistently to access that talent that we all see.”

The comments were similar to those offered by Spoelstra in Las Vegas, after Ware meandered through his opening action of summer league.

So kinder, gentler? Perhaps in this 18th season in, but only to a degree.

“I would say he’s re-written his own way of thinking,” said center Bam Adebayo, who is entering his ninth season under Spoelstra. “He’s re-wiring his thinking.”

Forward Nikola Jovic appreciates the professionalism demanded, having been where Ware now stands, having been very much challenged in his initial Heat years.

“My relationship with our head coach, it’s mainly professional and it should be that way,” Jovic said. “Of course, you know we can be good off the court, this and that, but I don’t think any coach should be really a friend with a player. Because at the end of the day, this is all work for us.

“And it’s great. I feel like he tells me what he wants me to do. And I tell them sometimes how I feel in certain ways. Like I said, it’s mainly professional and it’s easy to talk with one of the best ever.”

Precious Achiuwa, now in his second Heat go-round, also was a rookie recipient of Spoelstra ire, during his lone previous Heat season in 2020-21.

“From my point of view, I was a very young player, so it was a learning experience,” Achiuwa said, now back on a make-good contract. “I’ve learned a lot in the league, been around. But coming back here, I can see where my competitive spirit, my tenacity fits right in with what he is trying to do.”

Before the Heat reached this latest agreement, Spoelstra and Achiuwa spoke, with coach acknowledging to his once-and-again player that both have changed, grown.

“We were able to laugh about it,” Spoelstra said of what previously had been tension with Achiuwa, "about how some of my mentorship with Kel’el and Niko over the years, that was Precious his rookie year. There were a lot of ups and downs with Precious and the head coach. We didn’t have the opportunity to take that next step.”

Now that next step is coming with a new group of developmental players, while also having grown with former such prospects who now are Heat veterans.

So, yes, still demanding.

But now also patient.

And, seemingly, at 54, rejuvenated.

“That drive,” Adebayo said, “has not changed. That is one thing I love about Spo. You know what you’re going to get every single day he steps on that court. You know you’re going to get somebody who’s going to coach you to death. You’re going to get somebody he wants to win.

“He still wants rings. He still wants that feeling of getting back to that mountaintop.”