NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: CELTICS VS. HEAT

May 17, 2022

Erik Spoelstra

Miami Heat

Game 1: Pregame

Q. For three or four days we were asking you about being unsure which team you were playing. What's it like to find out three hours before a game that two opposing starters are not playing? How does that impact your machinations?

ERIK SPOELSTRA: I feel like this is the world we've been living in for a long time, and certainly this year every team has had a lot of experience with this. This has become kind of the normal prep, and expect the unexpected. We just have to focus on bringing our best version tonight, and it's the Playoffs, so you're going to get just great competition.

Q. I guess a defense this good, is early offense and transition opportunities more of an emphasis, or is that just a default setting, we want to get as much early offense as possible?

ERIK SPOELSTRA: Yeah, I feel like we say that a lot. It doesn't necessarily happen. But everybody steps up the level of detail in the Playoffs, so some of those run-outs and easy opportunities, everybody is well schooled, and they're getting back trying to take those away. Those can be difference makers for either side. But certainly pace is important.

Q. This is a broad question, but how have you grown as a head coach this season?

ERIK SPOELSTRA: That is very broad. Really the last three years, just managing all the different emotions, all the unpredictability, things that you can't anticipate, and just continue to try to focus on the task at hand. I think that's really been a good exercise for everybody in this business, really, to be in the present moment.

We've had some amazing nights because of these circumstances. People have been able to step up and play that maybe wouldn't have had an opportunity to play before and then gain confidence, and then there just becomes this incredible spirit from that and some really enjoyable memories that we've had this season from a lot of adversity.

I think we've all grown from that. We've been able to just find different solutions. We've had a lot of different rotations.

Q. A lot of times when a team loses a big man you'd expect them to go smaller, but the fact is they have two Williams and Theis anyway, so are they a little bit unique being able to handle more than other teams the loss of a big man like that?

ERIK SPOELSTRA: Yeah, I think that was one of the more underrated moves. Well, one, to get Horford back into the program; he's just a perfect fit for them. But then mid-season to pick up Theis, again, really familiar with their personnel and their culture, their organization, and he's a great fit for them. It just gives them tremendous depth to be able to not necessarily replace Horford, but you have a legit guy that is experienced that can play that role.

Q. When you're trying to understand how a team is going to manage a playoff series, with players you have some sense of background that have been in the league before, but when you're going up against a head coach who has never been here before, is there an unknown, trying to anticipate how they're going to adjust?

ERIK SPOELSTRA: Yeah, I've known Ime for a really long time. A lot of us in the business felt that he should have been a head coach like almost a decade ago. Now we think about those San Antonio battles we had; he was on that bench. He has amazing experience. From a playing experience, who he's played for, the organizations, and then his coaching experience. He's far from being a rookie coach. I think he's incredibly experienced.

Then I really was able to spend some time with him this summer in USA Basketball. It just substantiated and then some all the thoughts that I had about him. I just think he's a really talented communicator, Coach, well-versed in X's and O's, managing personalities, all that type of stuff.

In terms of preparing for them, we have a full season of work. We've played them three times. We've been able to watch their playoff games. I don't think necessarily it would have been any different if he had 10 years of head coaching experience. You'd still have to deal with what you just witnessed.

Q. Did you make school pick-up this morning?

ERIK SPOELSTRA: I did, thank you.

Q. I know you haven't had a ton of shootarounds with the Playoffs and your veteran group. Why was it important for you guys to get together this morning?

ERIK SPOELSTRA: We have done shootarounds. I think I explained it before. It just depends on how the schedule is, whether we practice the day before or not. But we've actually done quite a few shootarounds.