Erik Spoelstra for Gilas Pilipinas? Not in the near future.
The Filipino-American head coach of the Miami Heat said he does not see himself calling the shots for the national team, which is in search of its next tactician.
“I don’t think that’s realistic for this period of time in my life,” Spoelstra told One Sports in an interview.
Just like any Filipino father, Spoelstra values time with his family, making it one of the reasons why coaching Gilas Pilipinas is not on his sight yet.
“I have two young sons and that summertime is extremely valuable. I don’t want to miss out on those moments,” said Spoelstra, who is married to former Heat cheerleader Nikki Sapp.
“I do want to do what we have done in the summers of the past. Work with the NBA and do more grassroots clinics and support those kinds of programs. I think that’s more realistic for sure.”
The second-longest tenured head coach in the NBA just behind San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich, Spoelstra has stamped his class as one of the best shot-callers in the league.
In 12 seasons as Heat head coach, Spoelstra guided the franchise to 9 playoff appearances, highlighted by back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
After missing the playoffs last season, Spoelstra and the Heat defied expectations and reached the NBA Finals for the sixth time in franchise history this year. – Vince Roque/Rappler.com
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.