The Miami Heat is one of two organizations that have not had a coaching change since 2008. (Mandatory Credit: Tim Warner/Getty Images)
With just five days left, we are nearing the end of the 2024-25 NBA regular season.
And yet, there was another coaching change for a team fighting for homecourt in the Western Conference. Over a week after the Memphis Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins, the Denver Nuggets–less than two years removed from beating the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals–fired head coach Michael Malone, in addition to parting ways with general manager Calvin Booth (when his contract was expiring after the season anyway).
There have been three in-season firings this season: Sacramento Kings, Grizzlies and Nuggets. There will almost certainly be more after Sunday’s over–and there’s still the looming question about what will happen in San Antonio amid Gregg Popovich’s health.
While Miami has its imperfections, Tuesday was another stark reminder that they have one quality few organizations–not only in the NBA, but in sports–have, which is key to building a winning culture.
I’d be lying to you if I said the Heat’s front office or ownership are perfect. But they have been one of the most stable organizations in the NBA. According to AP’s Tim Reynolds, since the COVID-19 pandemic, there are only three organizations that haven’t had at least one coaching change: San Antonio, Golden State and Miami. That’s it. That’s the list. The Phoenix Suns have had three head coaches in three years (and will have four in four if they decide to part with Budenholzer), for perspective.
That’s not to say the Heat haven’t made mistakes over the last three-plus decades. They’ve had regrettable moments–such as Dwyane Wade’s exit in 2016, or drafting Shabazz Napier to appease LeBron James. The list goes on. And I wish they would lean into building through the draft–where they’ve had so much success over the last decade–while obtaining external talent instead of always having to rely upon finding diamonds in the rough.
But you can’t argue that their philosophy hasn’t worked. You can’t argue that they haven’t been one of the most successful organizations since Pat Riley took over in 1995. You can’t argue that from the top-down–from Nick and Micky Arison to the support staff–isn’t well-constructed. Riley’s the face, but the Heat have plenty of voices who have influence within the decision-making, such as Nick Arison, Alonzo Mourning, Spoelstra and Andy Elisburg. Miami’s operated with a one-voice mindset; Denver’s front office and Malone had an ongoing rift. All good things must come to an end, but it’s difficult to maintain success with persisting tension.
We don’t always have to agree with its decision-making, but Miami’s been one of the league’s best front offices, for better or worse, over the last three decades. It being a stable organization with continued success–thank you, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Jimmy Butler!–is a great way to maintain a culture with proper expectations. #HEATCulture™ may be an annoying catchphrase that bit the team in the butt over the last two years, but it’s also been the bedrock behind three NBA Titles and seven Eastern Conference titles.
Today is a day when Miami should be thankful, not satisfied. I believe Erik Spoelstra may need another voice or two on the sideline to assist with the offense, but that doesn’t mean the Heat should fire him. That would be heinous and brain-dead. And that’s what two playoff teams–including one fringe contender, with the best player in the NBA in his prime–did over the last two weeks. Time will tell if the grass is indeed greener, but that’s not always the case.
