Getty Image / Chris Coduto
Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra is one of the best and most respected coaches in the NBA. Few in the league are better in-game coaches than Spo.
But, he made a mistake on Tuesday during the team’s opening game of the NBA Cup Group Stage that he possibly hadn’t made in his basketball life. Now, it’s gone viral.
The Heat came in to Tuesday night’s game having started the year 4-5. But, a game against the lousy Pistons should’ve been an opportunity to get back to .500. Instead, they lost in embarrassing fashion.
The game went to overtime, and that’s when things got weird. Take a look.
A complete, uncharacteristic meltdown from Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra.
First: he gets burned by Detroit’s ATO.
Second: he calls a timeout in frustration, but he doesnt have any left. So he’s assessed a technical foul. Pistons take the lead at the line.
Third: tries to sub… pic.twitter.com/wCtAmMFPjZ
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 13, 2024
Let’s recap. First, the Heat get absolutely torched out of a timeout on defense. Then, Spoelstra calls a timeout to advance the ball. But, he doesn’t have any, meaning it’s a technical foul. That gives the Pistons a foul shot and the ball. Spo doesn’t know the rules, and wants to sub in Kevin Love to throw a long pass to try to get a game-winning shot off. Problem is, it’s Detroit’s ball. Eric Spoelstra should know better.
Ultimately, the Pistons won, 123-121.
Jalen Rose, who was a member of Michigan’s “Fab Five” when Chris Webber famously called a timeout against North Carolina in the 1993 National Championship Game, looked like he’d seen a ghost.
Jalen Rose's reaction to Spo calling a timeout he did not have is an all-timer pic.twitter.com/nMLgLI6J3V
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) November 13, 2024
Here’s what Eric Spoelstra had to say about his mistake after the game.
Erik Spoelstra:
“I just made a serious mental error there at the end. That’s on me. I feel horrible about it. There’s no excuse for that, I’m 17 years in.”
“We had talked about it in the huddle. I knew we didn’t have anything. I just got emotional and reactive.”
— Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) November 13, 2024
That’s a mistake that he’s not going to live down for a long time.