No bubble can keep Riley’s influence away

The Pat Riley influence still travels, even with the iconic Miami Heat president back in South Florida.

So, too, coach Erik Spoelstra said Thursday, does the input and impact from the rest of the team’s staff beyond the 37-person limit the team is allowed in the quarantine bubble-type setting at Disney World amid the NBA restart.

Speaking before Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex, Spoelstra mentioned how several members of the organization are contributing from afar, noting assistant coach Octavio De La Grana, director of sports nutrition Betsy Berthin, director of NBA scouting Chad Kammerer, as well Riley and general manager Andy Elisburg.

“Literally and daily contact with Coach O, multiple times a day,” Spoelstra said, with the remainder of his coaching staff at Disney. “And then he’s in contact with our players, as well.”

As for Berthin, Spoelstra continues to be a priority.

“Betsy, even though she’s in Miami, has had a significant role, in trying to help guide guys with their nutrition here in the bubble,” Spoelstra said. “And the food has gotten much better as we’ve been here.”

The Heat have used their staff within the bubble to advance scout opponents, but said nutrition

Spoelstra said Kammerer remains involved with what typically otherwise is his job.

“Chad Kammerer still sends me his notes, and he’s able to watch the practices and obviously the games,” Spoelstra said. “But his perspective is really important to this head coach.”

As for Riley, the written and verbal.

“And then I get my daily notes, and/or conversations, with Coach Riley, which, for me, are the most important,” Spoelstra said. “So we’re making the most of it. It’s not a perfectly ideal situation for any organization, when you don’t have your full complement of people here. But we’re making it work.”

As for Elisburg? Still a right-hand even if not directly by Spoelstra’s side.

“And Andy, I feel like Andy is in the bubble,” Spoelstra said, “because he’s still enabling so many administrative things with the league for us, which has really been great.”

The NBA is allowing teams, starting Monday, to sub out one staff member from their 37-person “bubble” contingent for a replacement, with a second switch allowed if the team advances to the second round of the playoffs. If no initial switch is made, then two switches will be allowed in the second round.

Masked men Jimmy Butler presence

and remains,

Udonis both man,

Haslem

are among those featured in the “Mask Up Miami” campaign amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In his video, Butler said, “Us NBA players are fortunate enough to be able to restart our season. But this COVID-19 is taking a hit on ourselves and our communities, especially back home in Miami.

“So, with me, please practice wearing your mask, practice social distancing and avoid large crowds, so we can get back to our family and friends, and also to be able to enjoy Heat basketball. Be safe and wear a mask.”

Haslem pointed roots in his pitch.

“Sitting here in the NBA bubble and just letting you guys know that I’m thinking about you guys,” he said. “Through all that’s going on, I think that we have the most amazing city in the world, and we have the most beautiful city in the world. We have the most amazing people in the world. We have the most beautiful people in the world. That’s the main reason why everybody wants to come be a part of it, everyone want to come visit, everybody wants to vacation.

“We got to take care of it, people. We’ve got to take care of each other. If you’re stepping out of the house, we got to wear our masks, man. Coming from me, sitting up here in the NBA bubble, where they say it’s the safest place to be, I’m worried about you all and I thinking about you all. Mask up Miami. Take care of each other, show love.” to his

South

Florida