Miami Heat Fans Mercilessly Defend Erik Spoelstra After Knicks Coaching Rumor

Apr 23, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts in the first quarter of game two of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons, flooding rumors around the league to fill their vacancy.

Don't even bother including Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, though. ESPN Radio analyst Mark Zinno suggested the idea of New York going after the longtime Heat coach on Tuesday.

"The Knicks need to do everything possible to get Erik Spoelstra out of Miami. However remote the possibility, they need to investigate it," Zinno tweeted.

The #Knicks need to do everything possible to get Erik Spoelstra out of Miami. However remote the possibility, they need to investigate it. @ESPNRadio

— Mark Zinno (@MarkZinno) June 3, 2025

Heat fans immediately shut down any propositions of Spoelstra leaving Miami.

Lmao y’all are chucking shit at the wall at this point. You’ll rinse the sun before you pull Spo from Miami.

— Lucas (@catchflames) June 4, 2025

Even if the Heat coach were to depart elsewhere, it is doubtful that Pat Riley would negotiate with the Knicks of all teams. Riley's history with New York as a former coach, paired with his success as a conference rival, makes them one of the last teams he'd consider for his Hall of Fame coach.

You think Pat is getting on the phone with the Knicks lol pic.twitter.com/RLuEP01xPZ

— Saadiq (@3Diqq) June 4, 2025

Spoelstra has coached Miami for 17 seasons, making him the second-longest tenured coach in league history with one franchise. He's overseen six Finals appearances, including consecutive championships during the Big Three era (2012, 2013). His success in Miami has been admired across the league, so it's understandable for the fringe-championship contenders to be interested in Spoelstra.

Thibodeau was released after the Indiana Pacers eliminated New York last month. The Knicks reached the conference finals for the first time since 2000 but fell in six games. Though Thibodeau reached new postseason heights this season, his lack of in-game adjustments and shortage of playing time for his bench players ultimately sealed his fate.

Some of the leading candidates for the position are Michael Malone and Jason Kidd.

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