Erik Spoelstra Almost Played Pro Ball In The Philippines Before Taking Job With Miami Heat

Philippine basketball coach Tim Cone details how Erik Spoelstra nearly passed on coaching with Miami Heat

Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat has become one of the most successful coaches in NBA history. 

It almost never happened, though. 

According to Philippine basketball coach Tim Cone, Spoelstra nearly chose playing professionally instead of taking a job with the Heat as a video coordinator. Cone spoke of it during an interview with The Rappler. 

Cone said Spoelstra once told him, "I really struggled over that. And as it turned out, [Spo] said, ‘I can’t pass up this opportunity. So I went to the Miami Heat instead of coming [to the Philippines].’’’

Spoelstra has since won two NBA championships in six appearances in the Finals. He was recently named one of the top 15 coaches in league history. 

Cone can now joke about Spoelstra considering playing professionally overseas.

“That’s the worst absolute decision you ever made, Cone told Spoelstra about by passing a playing career. "You could have come here, and I could have drafted you, and you could have played for me.”

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