SVG: Spoelstra is the league's best coach
Launching a 13-game win streak with the present talent on the Miami Heat roster is undeniably the most impressive coaching achievement of the season.
It's for that reason, and more, that Detroit Pistons bench boss Stan Van Gundy named Erik Spoelstra - ahead of the likes of Rick Carlisle or Gregg Popovich - as the league's top head coach.
"There’s not a better coach in the league than Erik," Van Gundy told Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
"People discounted him because he had (LeBron James), (Dwyane) Wade, and (Chris) Bosh. Gregg Popovich is one of the best ever. Phil Jackson best ever. Nobody goes to four straight Finals. Nobody. He did. OK?"
Spoelstra's latest bit of magic - coaching a ragtag Heat squad that started off 11-30 before catching fire over the past month - stands as further evidence of what Spoelstra can do - even with limited talent.
Wade, a former pupil that won two titles with Spoelstra, is also taking notice.
I'm happy 4 my guys over there. Coach Spo has those guys willing 2 run thru a brick wall for each other. It's good 2 see as a fan and friend https://t.co/Ppoh1EUMkP
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 11, 2017
Spoelstra is the second-longest-tenured coach in the league. He boasts a lifetime win percentage of 61 percent and only has one losing season to his name in nearly a decade with the Heat. Despite his impressive resume, Spoelstra has never won a Coach of the Year award.