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NBA Playoffs 2020: 5 reasons the Miami Heat can win it all

By John Likanje

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat, Bam Adebayo #13 and Duncan Robinson #55 react against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 06: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat, Bam Adebayo #13 and Duncan Robinson #55 react against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 06, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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NBA coaches
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3. Coaching matters

Erik Spoelstra is just as much of the heart and soul of the Miami Heat as Pat Riley. The 12-year head coach started at the bottom of the food chain as the video coordinator in 1995 and was promoted to an assistant two years later. Now, he seeks his fourth ring as a coach and third at the helm.

Spoelstra is well on his way to leading the franchise to its ninth playoff appearance under his tutelage. He’ll be one of the more experienced minds in a tournament featuring Mike Budenholzer, Rick Carlisle, Mike D’Antoni, Gregg Popovich, Michael Malone, Doc Rivers and Frank Vogel. Popovich and Spoelstra are the only ones in this tier with multiple championships as a head coach.

Spoelstra has also coached the greatest player of the current generation, LeBron James. The fact that Riley didn’t fire Spo back then shows how much trust the organization has in him, and it paid dividends as the team went on to win two Finals in four years.

Spoelstra being able to coach this strangely-constructed roster with vastly different personalities is a testament to his ability to coach pretty much any player as well.

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