Report: Heat Players Grumbling About Spoelstra
MIAMI (CBS4) - The Miami Heat were supposed to be an NBA championship contender when the "Big Three" of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade were brought together. But, after coming out to a 9-8 record, the players may be on the verge of revolt, according to a report from ESPN.com.
Sources told ESPN that players are "privately grumbling about (Heat head coach Erik) Spoelstra, and some are questioning whether he is the right coach for their team." The Heat have lost four of their last five games, including a blow-out loss to the Pacers when the Heat looked like a JV team when it came to defense.
ESPN.com said Spoelstra recently called out superstar LeBron James during a practice. In turn, sources told Chris Broussard that players, "feel like Spoelstra's not letting them be themselves."
Sources said, "He's (Spoelstra) not a motivator. Instead of coaching, he's at the point where the players are starting to sense that he's fearing for his job."
It's not a surprise the Heat players could be grumbling. The team has run vanilla offenses and hasn't communicated on defense in order to stop simple pick and roll's and backdoor cuts by opposing teams.
The Heat are in desperate need for a player to step up and lead the team. In the past, it's been guard Dwyane Wade. However, with the Big Three, it could be fear that is keeping one of them from stepping up.
Whatever the reason, if the Heat don't right the ship soon, Spoelstra and probably some players could be on the way out.
Source: ESPN.com
