Why Heat’s Erik Spoelstra didn’t want Coach of the Year
Erik Spoelstra knows the history of the award, which was given to the Nuggets’ George Karl.
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Erik Spoelstra reportedly dating former Heat dancer Nikki Sapp
Erik Spoelstra has a new girlfriend, and Miami Heat fans will be happy to hear that he is sticking with the Heat family even in his personal life. Spoelstra likes his team so much that he decided to date one of its former dancers, 24-year-old Nikki Sapp. According to Gossip Extra, the 42-year-old Spoelstra attended a fundraiser sponsored by Heat broadcasters Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino with Sapp by his side. Sapp began dancing for the Heat in 2006, just after she turned 18. She is now a director at Guy Hepner art gallery in West Hollywood and splits her time between Miami and Los Angeles. Spoelstra and Sapp have reportedly been dating for more than two years, so the couple has done a pretty good job of keeping their relationship quiet. Considering Spoelstra is nearly twice the young lady’s age, it’s possible that played into his decision to not make any public appearances with Sapp. Or, it’s also possible that he is just a private person. In any event, life seems to be going well for Coach Spo at the
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Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra dating former Heat dancer Nikki Sapp
There aren’t that many bachelor head coaches around the NBA. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra showed up to a fund rasing event over the weekend with former Miami Heat dancer Nikki Sapp. Sapp joined the dance team in 2006 at 18 years old.
The notoriously private boyish 42-year-old stunned observers by stepping onto the red carpet of Heat broadcasters Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino‘s yearly fundraiser with a beautiful, and much younger, brunette.
More than a few Miami Heat dancers have parlayed their time with the team into pop culture celebdom. “Basketball Wives,” Royce Reed, to “The Bachelor’s” Trista Rehn plus a Pussycat Doll and WWE Diva, Layla El all to the court on behalf of the Heat. Royce and Nikki were on the dance team at the same time too.
If I had to pick a favorite dance team, they would be it.
photos via Miami Heat
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Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra’s and Girlfriend Make Rare Public Appearance
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is an extremely private man off the court, and we don’t blame him one bit. The 42-year-old coach however opened up the hood a bit on his private life this weekend when he brought out his lovely girlfriend, Nikki Sapp, on the red carpet of a fundraiser help by Heat broadcasters Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino. Nikki started dancing at Heat games in 2006 as a 18-year-old, and now at the old age of 24 she is a director at the Guy Hepner art gallery in West Hollywood, Calif.
Speaking of gallery’s, here is one of Nikki.
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Erik Spoelstra Dating 24-Year-Old Former Heat Dancer Nikki Sapp
Erik Spoelstra is doing just fine, both on and off the court.
The Miami Herald (h/t BSO) reports Spoelstra was hanging out at the annual fundraiser thrown by Heat broadcasters Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino.
The event afforded the world a moment to point in the Heat coach’s general direction and proclaim, “Yo, check out who Spo is dating.”
The lady’s name is Nikki Sapp, and she started dancing at Heat games in 2006—just after turning 18.
The now 24-year-old Miami native shares time between Los Angeles and Miami because she’s a director at the famous Guy Hepner art gallery in West Hollywood, Calif., according to her website.
Spoelstra is 42 years old but looks 18, so we say the age difference really is a mental state in this particular case.
And, as Aaliyah taught us, age ain’t nothing but a number.
If you are looking for a life lesson amid what is nothing more than an “NBA coach dates hot woman” story, it’s that love and victory hang comfortably above American Airlines Arena.
The team has notched off 18 wins in a row and own a comfortable lead in the East. LeBron James continues to play like some magical amalgamation of Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan while also planning his wedding.
The King recently sent out his “save the date” cards for his September nuptials to girlfriend Savannah Brinson.
And now we have the head coach escorting a 24-year-old former dancer about town.
The Miami Heat are winning on the court, off the court and from the bench. Really, they are dominating life at the moment.
Hit me up on Twitter for more sexy swag.
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Erik Spoelstra’s Girlfriend Former Heat Dancer Nikki Sapp (Photos)
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You thought only James Harden was getting it in, but Erik Spoelstra has some pimp game as well. It had been rumored for a while that he was dating Sapp who was a dancer for the Heat, back when Spoelstra was an assistant coach, but now it has been confirmed.
Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra finally brought out his significant other in public Saturday night.
The notoriously private boyish 42-year-old stunned observers by stepping onto the red carpet of Heat broadcasters Eric Reid and Tony Fiorentino‘s yearly fundraiser with a beautiful, and much younger, brunette.
The lady’s name is Nikki Sapp, and she started dancing at Heat games in 2006 — just after turning 18.
Rumble Young Erik, Rumble.
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Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra is Eastern Conference coach
Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra is Eastern Conference coach
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Florida’s Erik Murphy suffers fractured rib, could miss SEC opener
Tests on Monday revealed that senior forward Erik Murphy has suffered a fractured rib.
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Florida Basketball: Why Erik Murphy’s Slump May Actually Help the Gators
Erik Murphy started off the 2012-13 college basketball season on fire for the Florida Gators. But ever since the matchup with the Wisconsin Badgers, Murphy has slowed down tremendously. However, his slump may actually help the Gators.
Murphy put up two very impressive games to start the season, with 15 points in the first game and 24 points in the second game. He has not had more than 10 points since Nov. 14. Although Florida should not panic since it has been blowing competition out of the water, Murphy has definitely cooled off.
Read on to see why this slump can help out Florida.
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Erik Spoelstra Must Embrace LeBron’s Rekindled Love with the Three-Ball
LeBron James is only getting better.
The most transcendent player of his generation has begun showcasing a missing element to his game: the three-point shot.
And James’s rekindled love of the three-ball is something that Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra must embrace.
James is shooting a career-high 43.9 three-point percentage this season. If James can renew his threat from behind the arc, he will create an even more impossible task for defenders and provide his coach with plenty more offensive options.
He’ll also set the stage for the remainder of his career.
James is as complete a player as he is a polarizing one. No top-five scorer distributes, rebounds and plays defense the way he does. He’s unstoppable in transition and attacks the basket with a ferocity unrivaled since Dan Gilbert learned to use email.
And if proves capable of consistently shooting the deep ball too?
That’d be like if Greg Maddux had been given a 100-mile-per-hour fastball; or if Peyton Manning was upgraded with a scrambling ability; or if Mila Kunis was enhanced with plastic surgery.
It’s simply unfair.
Allowing the Development
Not only is James shooting a better three-point percentage this season, but his attempts are again creeping upwards; he has averaged six three-pointers per game in the past two weeks, headlined by a 5-for-8 performance from behind the arc two weeks ago in a win at Houston.
Given, James is shooting just 29 percent during that stretch, but it hasn’t hurt the Heat. James is attempting 3.4 three-pointers in the team’s 10 wins and just 2.3 attempts in the team’s three losses.
If Spoelstra allows James increased shot attempts from behind the arc, the benefits will create an even greater mismatch every time Miami steps on the hardwood.
Even More Flexibility for Spoelstra
As coach, Spoelstra already has an embarrassment of wealth in perimeter shooting weapons Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis and Mike Miller. But when the game is in its final minutes, Spoelstra will have even further flexibility if his best player can draw out the defense with his deep shooting.
If LeBron can begin pulling defenses out to the perimeter, it opens up more drive-and-kicks, more dangerous pick-and-roll opportunities, clearer lanes for Wade and Bosh and, of course, additional off-the-dribble opportunities for himself.
Not only will he draw out defenders and open up slashing opportunities for the Heat, but he’ll also join other NBA greats who smoothly transitioned into more prolific shooters later in their careers.
Revolutionizing His Game in Preparation tor the Sunset
An improvement in perimeter shooting comes with age for many of the game’s greats, and it’s something that great coaches, such as Phil Jackson, have fostered for their superstars.
Michael Jordan, since we love to make the comparison, advanced his perimeter abilities to compensate for the natural loss of athleticism and slashing power.
The greatest player of all time never shot better than 20 percent from behind the arc until his fifth season as a pro. He never had a three-point percentage higher than 40 percent until his 10th season, and that was when he shot 50 percent in just 17 games during his 1994-95 comeback season.
But in his latter years, in his first two championships following his return, Jordan shot 42.7 percent (1995-96) and 37.4 percent (1996-97).
Kobe Bryant, in the first part of his career, was a guy who shot just two three-pointers on average per game. But as his career developed, he became a more perimeter-oriented shooter who took five to six three-point attempts per game.
James will eventually need to expand his game in this manner, and the development can begin to occur now. It’s not just about preparing for the days when his legs are gone, but also saving his legs for tomorrow.
Save the Legs for When it Counts
James doesn’t appear tired, even following the Heat’s championship run and the added games in helping to earn a Gold Medal for the United States. But by taking perimeter shots, a player like James can certainly add to his longevity.
As the almost-28-year-old begins creeping into his 30s, he will need to better manage his body and ready himself for when it truly matters: in the postseason.
Attacking the rim saps stamina. If James doesn’t learn to let off the accelerator on given nights, he won’t be as primed for any extensive postseason run. Spoelstra will continue to give James the heavy minutes but will need to allow him to relax his approach on possessions.
Ultimately, James should maintain his style of aggressively striking the lane, while developing his game from beyond the arc at select moments during games.
Spoelstra must seize the appropriate opportunities on given nights to promote James’s expanding three-point game. James is a career 33 percent three-point shooter, but he’s coming off a career-high season in which he shot 36.2 percent while attempting just 2.4 attempts per game.
It’s time for Spoelstra to remove the deep-ball handcuffs, and let James develop into the player he will need to be later in his career.
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