Here are selected pregame quotes from Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and LeBron James. I’ll be back at you later.
Erik Spoelstra:
It was everything coming down on us at once, not having success, all the media all the speculation, everything what we learned was we weren’t going to blame each other or point fingers. The only people we could really count on was ourselves and we were going to try to figure this out together. When you get through those moments those are the very best moments in this league. When you finally do make it through you become tougher.
This season we’ll be tested as a group hopefully during those moments we’ll grow stronger.
You have to give this team some time. We knew there would be an adjustment period, trying to add new players. You know how long that would be. What you see now is guys becoming more comfortable in the system.
Re: negative feelings about the Heat: We’re embracing all this experience. We knew there would be a lot of speculation. There would be a lot of expectations. There would be a lot of opinions about us. With all due respect the only opinions that matter are the ones in the locker room and that’s what we learned after that Dallas game we’re the only people we can lean on.
He says his team is playing to its identity. What is that identity? I think if you know a Pat Riley franchise we emphasize defense, rebounding and toughness. We’ve been defending the ball very well and that’s opened up opportunities for us offensively especially in the open court.
LeBron James:
We always said it would take us 20, 25 games for us to start figuring things out.
Is the team getting an identity? I think so. It all starts with defense. We get stops and it’s open court for us.
Is he playing as well as last year? Early on I wasn’t. I think I’m starting to get more comfortable. I’ve had seven years of the same thing. I already knew what to expect in Cleveland. Every night I went on the basketball court I knew I had to be great and give us an opportunity to win. This is a different situation for me and I’m still getting comfortable.
Give yourself a grade. I’m never been a give yourself a grade type of guy.
Are you an MVP candidate? I don’t know. I just play my game and see what happens.
There’s been a certain amount of negativity directed at your team. Does it surprise you? It doesn’t surprise us but it’s something we don’t worry about. We’re one of 30 teams in this league that’s trying to get wins every night. We can’t worry about what everybody thinks of us.
Why doesn’t it surprise you?
Why it doesn’t?
I don’t know. It doesn’t surprise me. I didn’t think it was going to be Team America when we all joined forces so it doesn’t surprise me if people don’t like us. We don’t care.
