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May 8--MIAMI -- Heat players accept they're not getting Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan or Larry Bird as their next coach.
But Thursday, two made it sound as if they were getting Dr. James Naismith.
Downplaying Erik Spoelstra's lack of an NBA-playing resume, forwards Udonis Haslem and Dorell Wright instead gushed about how Spoelstra's insight into the pro game makes him a capable fit.
"Spo's probably been one of the most intelligent guys that I've been around, knowing the game of basketball," Haslem said after a Heat Academy graduation ceremony for elementary school students. "Whether he played the game at the highest level or not, I know he has the knowledge to be an NBA coach. I can vouch for that."
Wright endorsed the elevation of the longtime Heat assistant.
"I said when I first got here and I met Spo and I knew his knowledge of the game, I knew he was going to be a head coach sooner or later," he said. "I didn't know if it was going to be here. I just knew sooner or later he was going to be a coach, just because of his IQ of the game."
Even with the league's coaching carousel in full whirl, Haslem said there was something to be said about the immediate move to Spoelstra, even with the likes of Mike D'Antoni, Avery Johnson and others available.
"From the time I've been here, he's probably been the most hands-on guy with the players," Haslem said. "He probably knows the players here inside-out better than anybody -- strengths and weaknesses, what guys need to work on."
Writing Wade's lottery ticketPlans are being finalized for Dwyane Wade to represent the Heat on stage at the May 20 draft lottery in Secaucus, N.J. At least two other players, Seattle's Kevin Durant and Memphis' Rudy Gay, will represent their teams. ...
Heat assistant coach Bob McAdoo has returned from Spain, where he last week was named one of the "50 Most Influential Personalities" of European club basketball during the past 50 years. McAdoo led his Italian League team to two Euroleague titles after concluding his NBA career.
Wright sure he will be backWright said he is "80 percent" certain he will return next season despite entering the summer as a restricted free agent. He has been spending "four or five hours a day" at AmericanAirlines Arena rehabbing from last season's knee surgery. He said he is using down time from those exercises to strengthen his upper body. ...
Haslem said he remains in "a little bit of discomfort" from last season's foot surgery and only last week began shooting, running and jumping.
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