Spoelstra Stays says Pat Riley

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph 

Filipino-American Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s job is not on the line!

This was what Miami Heat president Pat Riley made clear when he met with the press while attending the men’s Big East tournament in New York.

Clearly directing the media to “Write it off”, Riley still has confidence in Spoelstra and that the losing streak is not something that he is worried about right now. In fact, Riley is upbeat and points out that the Heat can clinch a victory if they should win against the NBA defending champs, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Miami is currently seeded third in the Eastern Conference behind Chicago and Orlando.

"We're going through some tough times and we will get through it," Riley said. "It's like anything else, like I always say, the playoffs will tell.

"Everything else now is just rhetoric. And we're getting ready for that time. And I don't really care what position we play from." (ESPN)

Spoelstra has gotten the ire of Heat fans for faltering in their last 5 games. This included a heartbreaking loss to the Chicago Bulls and a forgettable 30 point rout at the hands of the hot San Antonio Spurs.

Some of the players were reportedly moved to tears after their loss to the Bulls, something that LA Lakers coach Phil Jackson calls as somewhat pathetic.

With the NBA match-up slated to take place in a couple of hours, the Miami Heat have their work cut out for them. Failing to get the proper bench support has told on them heavily and facing the Lakers who are now on an eight game winning streak seems to be daunting.

There is nowhere else to go but up for the baffled Miami Heat. Egos and stardom aside, the Heat can put the pieces back together but sacrifices and key adjustments need to be made starting now.

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