Assessing the Coaching Staff at Miami Heat for 2020-21

Any discussion of the best coaches in basketball has to include Erik Spoelstra at some capacity. Nevertheless, Coach Spo would be the first to tell you that it’s a “team effort” behind the scenes that make the wheels go round in South Beach.

On that note, let’s get acquainted with the Miami Heat coaching staff in 2020-21.

Entering his 13th season serving as the head coach of the Miami Heat, Spoelstra’s career record of 567-392 speaks for itself.

His blue-collar mentality and experience on the sidelines have Miami in a terrific position to make a run at a second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.

The former journeyman point guard was a member of the Miami Heat from 2006-2010. Quinn joined Spoelstra’s staff after retiring in 2013 and has quickly moved up the rankings.

Now the lead assistant and Director of Player Development, it might not be long until Quinn gets his shot at leading a team.

Malik Allen heads into his second season on the Heat sidelines after transitioning from a similar role with the Timberwolves.

Like Quinn, Allen spent five seasons in Miami as a player (2001-2005) and brought a wealth of NBA knowledge to the table.

Caron Butler’s coaching career gets underway this year after he was hired by the Heat in November.

The two-time All-Star was the 10th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft (by Miami) and was an integral part of the team for two seasons. However, following the 2003-2004 campaign, Butler was part of the blockbuster trade with the Lakers that enabled the Heat to land Shaquille O’Neal.

Octavio De La Grana began his NBA coaching career as a scout for the Heat in 2006. After holding that title until 2009, De La Grana was promoted to part of the player development task force.

The Cuban native served as a Heat assistant from 2010-2012 before working as an assistant for the Sioux Falls Skyforce – the organization’s G League affiliate. Octavio returned to Erik Spoelstra’s staff in 2016, where he continues to provide mentorship for the players.

Known around the league as “The Shooting Guy,” Rob Fodor is as good as it gets when it comes to shooting specialists in the NBA. Perhaps that was why Erik Spoelstra was adamant about jumping on the opportunity to bring Fodor in.

The avid golfer (carries a plus-handicap) is a big reason why the Heat finished 2nd in the NBA last season in three-point %.

It’s hard to come up with anything negative when assessing the Miami Heat coaching staff. Pat Riley has constructed a well-oiled machine that now gets bolstered with the arrival of Caron Butler.

Most importantly, Erik Spoelstra mimics Riley’s leadership qualities and has the entire locker room buying into his systematic approach.