Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra won his 500th career game on Sunday night as the Heat defeated their division rival Orlando Magic.
Spoelstra, who has a career record of 500-336, became the 32nd coach in NBA history to reach this milestone.
The 48-year-old offered his thoughts about the achievement after the game.
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“It doesn’t even register as real to me right now. That’s why I’m always just so grateful for the Arisons and Pat [Riley] for giving me this opportunity,” said Spoelstra. “There have been a lot of low points, a lot of really incredible moments, but you don’t get to survive those low points if you don’t have great stability and belief from people above you.”
Spoelstra is now in his 11th season as head coach of the Heat and 24th as a member of the Heat organization. Before being named head coach of the team for the 2008-09 season, the Portland, Ore. native served in a variety of roles for the Heat. Having first been hired as a video coordinator, Spoelstra eventually worked as an advance scout, director of scouting and assistant coach before being promoted to head coach.
During his tenure with the Heat, Spoelstra has led the team to eight playoff appearances out of a possible ten, four NBA Finals appearances and two NBA championships.
Among active coaches, Spoelstra ranks sixth behind Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers, Rick Carlisle, Mike D’Antoni and Nate McMillan in career victories.
Spoelstra also owns the following franchise coaching records: regular season wins (500), regular season winning percentage (.598), playoff wins (71), playoff winning percentage (.602) and playoff series won (15).
Currently, Spoelstra, having been the Heat’s head coach since Apr. 28, 2008, is the NBA’s second-longest tenured coach behind Popovich, who has been with the San Antonio Spurs since Dec. 10, 1996.
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