About Erik Spoelstra

Erik Spoelstra Q&A

There was a lot of pressure on you when you were elevated to Miami Heat head coach in 2008 — at the time, you were the youngest coach in the NBA, and there were a lot of people who wondered if you were ready for the job. How is this year’s pre-season pressure — and the hype about LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — different?

There is always pressure when you’re a head coach — no matter who’s on your team or what the situation is. But of course, the expectations for the team, and for me, are enormous this year. I actually think pressure and expectations can be very positive, especially if they are managed the right way. Pressure & expectations can bring a great deal of focus and commitment, which we’ve already seen with our team. Our players are very serious and committed to the opportunity we have in front of us.

I actually find all of the hype to be really motivating, not just for me but for the players as well. When I met with the players over the summer, we talked a lot about commitment, focus, coming into camp in what we call “January” shape. Everyone is seriously committed to the opportunity we all have in front of us.

You are the first Asian American to become an NBA head coach, and in 2008 you traveled to the Philippines as part of the NBA’s US Sports Envoy. Then, this August, you returned to the country as part of NBA FIT Week. What was it like to visit San Pablo, your mother’s hometown?

Both trips were transformational — truly life changing. I was born and raised in the US, and even though I visited the Philippines when I was a kid, I’ve always wanted a stronger connection with the culture and my family living there. The trips have given me an opportunity to combine the three great passions of my life, which are family, basketball, and heritage.

One of most exciting aspects of each trip has been the incredible support and enthusiasm we’ve experienced at each of our clinics and appearances. Wherever we went — schools, hospitals, orphanages — Filipinos are huge basketball fans!

In San Pablo, we hosted a big basketball clinic, and I received special plaques from the City Council and San Pablo Colleges — all of that was a really emotional experience for me. Later that day, I visited with family and they tried to teach all of us tinikling, the traditional dance of the Philippines. Watching David Fizdale [HEAT assistant coach] and Steve Stowe [Executive Director, HEAT Charitable Fund] get their feet caught up in the bamboo sticks was definitely a highlight.

You had a chance to meet Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao when you were in the Philippines this summer. What was that like?

He was super cool — he even apologized for wearing a green shirt, which he of course didn’t have to. He said he’s always been a Celtics’ fan but now he’ll switch to rooting for the HEAT. Then he asked me why Floyd Mayweather, Jr. won’t fight him.

The intensity of the NBA season can be taxing: long hours, lots of travel and living out of a suitcase, less sleep. What are your tricks for taking care of yourself during the season?

I try to eat healthy foods, although that’s not easy when you’re usually ordering room service. I eat a lot of salads with lean protein like chicken, scrambled egg whites and broccoli wrapped in a tortilla, that sort of thing. When we’re at home, I always try to get in a quick game-day workout — or maybe a short nap. On a good day, both.

You’re a bit of a fitness nut — how are you staying fit these days?

I’ve been running and doing my own circuit work-out for years, but I change up my routine all the time. I just started working out with kettle bells this summer, and I like to go to spinning class when I can. I’ve been doing yoga for a few years now, and did a lot of it this summer. It’s a great stress reliever.

What’s your favorite yoga pose?

Savasana.

What’s your least favorite?

Headstand. Freaks me out.

People talk a lot about your intense work ethic. Is it true that when you were playing high school basketball, you made 30,000 three-point practice shots over summer vacation?

Attempted 30,000 three-pointers. Everyone else on the team was supposed to do it, but I guess I was the only one who actually did. No wonder I didn’t have too much of a social life back then.

This year, HEAT training camp will be held at two US Air Force bases. Do you think the setting will provide extra inspiration or motivation?

It is going to be an unprecedented opportunity for our team, and we’re honored that we’ll be able to hold training camp on the Hurlburt and Eglin Air Force Bases. We will share several interactive activies with the Airmen, and we will hold an open scrimmage later in the week. I think seeing these men and women in action — understanding more about their level of commitment, service and sacrifice — will be very powerful for our team.

Does Pat Riley, HEAT General Manager and longtime mentor, have any special advice for you this season?

He told me not to worry about what people say — not to worry about whether people think I’m ready or not. His advice was — and has been since he promoted me to head coach two years ago — to focus on just doing my job. Coach the players, motivate them, challenge them, demand of them, and everything will work itself out.

What are you looking forward to most this season?

Getting started. There has been so much talk and anticipation for the season this summer, it’s time to finally start. I’m extremely grateful and honored to have the opportunity to coach this team, and I’m ready to get to work. If it were up to me, we would have started camp weeks ago.