Special moment
South Florida following the Bulls’ first-round playoff demise. “He was around Miami when they had a couple rebuilding years, as well, so right now we’re operating under the assumption that he’ll be here.
“But, like I said, if that subject is ever broached by them, then itwould have to be advantageous for us.”
If Wade receives a buyout, he would lose his Bird Rights, meaning teams would have to sign him with either cap space or salary-cap exceptions. The Heat are expected to go into Saturday’s start of free agency with about $35 million in cap space.
Wade served as a mentor to young Heat players during the transitions following the Heat’s 2006 championship and then championships in 2012 and ’13. He was particularly close to young Heat players Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnsonprior tohis departure last summer.
“We do understand,” Paxson said, “that veterans are important for a young basketball team— the right veterans — the guys that are good teammates, are supportive of the young guys, and continue to teach them how to be pros. So those are things that we’ll be addressing.”
Erik Spoelstra, who was among the three finalists for Coach of the Year that went to the Houston Rockets’ Mike D’Antoni, told theHeat’s in-house video unit that hewas proud just to be included in that group.
“All of us are probably a little uncomfortable about being recognized for this,” he said, finishing a distant second in the media balloting. “But I think it is a great event. We love this association that we’re a part of and this craft of coaching that is such a challenge. Andwe feel so blessed, but also invigorated of being a part of that. You’re talking about the pillars in this coaching professional with Pop (San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich), obviously he’s the gold standard. And then Mike, who’s done so many things to keep this game moving forward and a lot of how you see this game being played noware some of the innovations that he had 15 years ago. Andit’s great to seehimget recognized aswell.
“But I think probably the biggest thing of all of this is it’s 30 for 30. It’s the best year of coaching in the NBA and you need to have support of organization and the proper perspective. But 30 coaches started the season with jobs and at the end of the season 30 coaches kept their jobs, and I think that’s a great sign.”
iwinderman@ sunsentinel.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat or facebook.com/ ira.winderman