Five Reasons: Riley begins by talking about drafting Bam, acquiring Nunn, drafting Herro, and adding to DJJ and others. “We had a lot of young players.” “Then Jimmy said yes to us.” “From there, it was all up to Spo.”
Erik Spoelstra Rumors
Five Reasons: Riley thanks Butler for coming here. “From that point, it was all up to Spo. Spo and his staff put together a great program.”
Five Reasons Sports Network: Pat Riley speaks of being “fused at the hip with Andy Elisburg.” “And having Spo, this is a dream for me.”
Tim Reynolds: Riles: “Spo was the coach of the year, for me.”
Tim Reynolds: More Riles on Spo: “He will be a Hall of Famer one day.” 100% correct.
Combine all that with the unmitigated manner in which Miami has embraced Butler, abrasive as he can sometimes be, and I’m not sure he needs the public’s validation. “I’m so comfortable with being myself — more than I’ve ever been,” Butler said before the finals. “Not saying I’ve ever not wanted to be myself, but now I know ‘myself’ is the right way.” “He’s such a likable guy,” Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He won’t want anybody to know that, I guess. He’s totally cool with the young guys growing — he’s not territorial about it at all. He’s just about winning. He understands that he needs guys with him. All the big winners get that.”
