HoopsHype.com Rumors

Ethan J. Skolnick: Asked Jeff Van Gundy about Spoelstra yesterday: "After watching his team a lot, there’s no question this is a superior-ly coached team." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, Coaching, Erik Spoelstra 

Joseph Goodman: SPOELSTRA: “When the lights are bright and the popcorn’s popping, our guys come to life." Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr

Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra 

Chris Tomasson: I asked Spoelstra if Bosh lobbying him for All-Star start: “Not at all. I figured he’d try to bribe me last night but he didn’t at all.’’ Twitter @christomasson

Miami Heat, Chris Bosh, Erik Spoelstra, All Star Game 

The #Heat Twitter account showed a photo of Erik Spoelstra watching Heat tape on laptop while watching Super Bowl. "I’m not a total geek,'' Spoelstra said. "I mean, I did. We were there an hour before the game started. So I watched film during that hour, and I watched on and off during the commercials of the first quarter. After the first quarter, I put the computer in my bag, and I enjoyed the rest of the game with our staff and the players.” Sulia

Miami Heat, Coaching, Erik Spoelstra, NFL 

Chris Tomasson: When President Obama greeted #Heat assistant coach Bob McAdoo last week at White House Obama cracked to McAdoo he "didn't play any defense'' Twitter @christomasson

Miami Heat, Coaching, Erik Spoelstra, NFL, Bob McAdoo 

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra had yet to give it any thought. After all, he had only known he was the coach of the Eastern Conference All-Star team for a few minutes. His first decision is whether to start center Chris Bosh in the game Feb. 17 in Houston. He leaned toward having three Heat starters, with Bosh joining LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. The last team to have three All-Star starters was the Los Angeles Lakers, who had Magic Johnson, A.C. Green and James Worthy in 1990. "I've only given this thought for the last nine minutes," Spoelstra said. "But I will tell you this, unequivocally, that my loyalties are first and foremost always with the Miami Heat." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Erik Spoelstra 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Spoelstra didn't know Rondo was out for the season: "Jeez, that's awful." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Rajon Rondo, Erik Spoelstra, Injuries 

Nuggets coach George Karl, who had Andersen in Denver from 2008-12, said he spoke to Heat coach Erik Spoelstra about Andersen's character. Karl said Nuggets assistant John Welch, who is close to Spoelstra, also talked to the Miami coach about the high-flying player known as Birdman. "I was very happy about that,'' Karl said before Sunday night's game at the Pepsi Center against Oklahoma City about Andersen signing with the Heat 12 days after he worked out for the team. "I think Bird knows that we've given him pretty good endorsements to Miami people. What he's going through and what happened (with his legal situation), I think will go by the wayside." FOXSports Florida

Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, George Karl, Erik Spoelstra, Chris Andersen 

Mark Kreidler: NBA expert @Chris Mannix says Heat coaches having a tough time getting team focused. "It's like they're sleepwalking through games." Twitter @MarkKreidler

Miami Heat, Coaching, Erik Spoelstra 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Spoelstra on Wade: "We accept it but we do no agree with it." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Erik Spoelstra 

That was a large reason for some of his more uncharacteristic performances, particularly in mid-November. And it's why his coaches and teammates paid little attention to his struggles. They all knew what to expect. "We knew he just needed some more time," Erik Spoelstra said. "Everybody wanted to make assumptions and evaluations then, which is totally ridiculous." ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Erik Spoelstra 

Whatever it is, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra has been talking to Riley, the Heat president, about the challenges of his team repeating. The only time Riley, who won four crowns with the Lakers and one with Miami, was able to do it was in 1987 and 1988 in Los Angeles. Spoelstra wouldn't reveal specifics on what Riley has told him. But, considering Riley, Chuck Daly, Phil Jackson and Rudy Tomjanovich are the only NBA coaches in the past four decades to have repeated, Spoelstra sure likes having one of them in a nearby office. "He's been a great help just from a great perspective just from some of the things he went through in the ‘80s with those great Lakers teams," Spoelstra said. "There's some similarities we've been talking about." FOXSports Florida

Miami Heat, Pat Riley, Erik Spoelstra 

Jared Zwerling: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on Carmelo Anthony: "For our coaching staff, he's a nightmare." #Knicks Twitter @JaredZwerling

Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Erik Spoelstra 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Spoelstra: "I had no idea what their mindset was. And I'm spending zero time trying to figure it out." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Erik Spoelstra, Gregg Popovich 

Erik Spoelstra doesn’t buy talk Heat defensive shortcomings have anything to do with relaxing after winning title. “That’s the easy thing for people to deduce, but it’s not necessarily the case,’’ Spoelstra said. “We’re still working through some things. Different pace. The rotation’s slightly different. Just things that you typically encounter at the beginning of the year. Our guys understand how important it is.’’ Sulia

Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra 

"We know and respect what these guys are about," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said afterward. "We view them as legit contenders for the title, and they were that last year and they improved with their offseason, so they played a good game. USA Today

Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra 

Now, he thrives in that role and has no problem deferring to James and Wade, which is why HEAT head coach Erik Spoelstra calls Bosh the team’s most important player. “It’s difficult,” Bosh told HOOPSWORLD. “It’s been difficult, but it’s all for the team and that’s what’s most important. I didn’t quite understand it when I first got here, but I’m starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Things came together for me a lot last year and I’m just trying to improve in that role. I’m trying to do what the team needs me to do night in and night out to be effective.” HoopsWorld

Miami Heat, Chris Bosh, Erik Spoelstra 

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra wonders how anybody ever could have doubted LeBron James' clutch abilities. "How did anybody ever question him, looking back on it now in big moments,'' Spoelstra said after James had 38 points and was clutch in Monday's 113-110 win at Houston. "This guy is the ultimate competitor. He gets absolutely amplified in these situations and you can see him coming to life. He's done it over and over again. We don't take it for granted. And he's the best player in the game but he does it in the most important moments. And that's what makes him special.'' Sulia

Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Erik Spoelstra 

Heat players did not know what the ring looked like until Tuesday, when they saw them for the first time at the Heat's ring and championship banner-raising ceremony before the season opener against the Boston Celtics. The Heat won 120-107. "It was good to cap this night off with a win," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "It was an emotional time for all of us in our organization." That's when James received a size 13½ championship ring for the first time in his career. The ring has a black background and is surrounded by 219 diamonds, with the words "World Champions" on it. In the middle of the ring is the Heat logo and the championship trophy — also made of diamonds. Ring designer Jostens is selling a replica for $3,200. USA Today

Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Erik Spoelstra 

James and most of the players were hanging out near the bar area of the third floor when I finally breached the multiple levels of security in place to keep out the crazies. The place was packed full of Americans and other internationals. Of the Heat’s contingent, there were the players, coach Erik Spoelstra, a few staff members and a couple of executives. A section of the floor space had been roped off for the players and a mass of people, men and women, were surrounding the velvet barrier. These were the traditional sort of groupies I have become accustomed to in three seasons covering the Heat. Finally, I felt at home. Miami Herald

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Erik Spoelstra, China