By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Plenty more seasons with Erik Spoelstra as the head coach of the Miami Heat are coming up.
Pending official confirmation, the 53-year-old tactician inked a long-term contract extension.
Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press revealed the deal is set to last eight years. The value exceeds 120 million dollars, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, ranking him among the highest-paid coaches in the league.
A two-time NBA champion, he was on the last year of his previous contract. He has served as the head coach of the franchise since succeeding Pat Riley in 2008 with a lengthy tenure including reaching the NBA Finals in 2011, 2014, 2020, and 2023, besides winning the NBA championship in 2012 and 2013. He trails only San Antonio Spurs boss Gregg Popovich on the list of the longest active streaks with one single team.
Joining the team as a video coordinator in 1995, the native of Illinois went up the ranks eventually landing the job of head coach. In his 16th play-calling campaign, the Heat currently sit fifth in the standings of the Eastern Conference behind a 21-15 W-L tally, despite dealing with multiple injury issues throughout the 2023-24 Regular Season.
Up next for the Heat are the Oklahoma City Thunder in Kaseya Center to reach the midway point of a four-game homestand on Wednesday. Facing the Orlando Magic on Friday and the Charlotte Hornets on the next edition of NBA Sundays completes the series in Miami.
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