Tony Fiorentino came to the aid of Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra by calling out Dan Dakich for his comments during the Las Vegas Summer League quarterfinal game on Saturday.
. @SedanoESPN almost had to fight @dandakich on air for saying Erik Spoelstra wasn't a top ten coach in the league and that Brad Stevens was a better coach than Spo pic.twitter.com/iAbcCzZj1x
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 13, 2019
The Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans were playing at the time of Dakich’s rant against the suggestion that Spoelstra was one of the top two or three coaches in the league. His co-host at the time, ESPN’s Jorge Sedano, was the one who lauded Spoelstra as one of the top coaches in the game.
Dakich’s argument became even more ludicrous when he said that Spoelstra may not be among the top 10 coaches in the league.
Fiorentino was one of the original Heat employees from the franchise’s first year in the league during the 1988-89 season. He worked as the Heat’s color commentator for television alongside play-by-play announcer Eric Reid for 15 seasons.
https://twitter.com/TonyHEATWC3x/status/1150529171552198657
Miami media ..so protective..it’s the best watching them run scared of Riley..btw post LeBron James Spolstra’s record is 209-201…of course his peers “laud” him..hahahahaha https://t.co/xA7c9qjfqc
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) July 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/TonyHEATWC3x/status/1150554295340867584
Of course it’s debatable except to the insecure scared local media and team homers
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) July 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/TonyHEATWC3x/status/1150554640947261444
You came at me and really I have know idea who you are so I’d simply ask when did you become such a sad homer? https://t.co/pH4JDGJrSP
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) July 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/TonyHEATWC3x/status/1150555639531429889
Sure I do..absolutely not top 2 or 3 in the league and possible Top 10 NBA coach as he has gone 209-201 since James w couple 10th place finishes and of course it can be debated by everyone except those of you that are blinded by being homers..no worries as I said you came at me https://t.co/fkw29ECNyW
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) July 15, 2019
What? Paid millions for results not how he “works” I’d assume he works hard hell most people work hard..paid millions for results which since James is 209-201 w a couple 10th place finishes…he’s a fine coach but it is up for debate if he’s a Top 10 coach. .. https://t.co/4MNj0u7pNj
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) July 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/TonyHEATWC3x/status/1150567226472357888
Dakich continued to defend his stance on Twitter and didn’t back down one bit. Moreover, he appeared to be more determined than ever to prove that his argument was correct and that Miami media is merely scared of Heat president Pat Riley.
Spoelstra has led the Heat to the Finals four times (2011-2014) and won back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.
The debate has seemingly ended between the two, but this argument could spark a discussion between other members of the media in the coming days.
