Spoelstra gets shot with Heat

Erik Spoelstra's first official words after Pat Riley introduced him as the Miami Heat's new coach were, "Well, thank you."

No, he was not being sarcastic.

Spoelstra, who served on the Heat coaching staff the past 13 years, inherits a team that, ravaged by injuries, finished an NBA-worst 15-67 this season. He succeeds Riley, who remains team president.

Spoelstra, 37, acknowledged that the organization had been grooming him for this role for years, "But you're never assured of anything in this business. (Riley) would say things over the years like, 'Hey, be ready,' or 'Think about this,' just to get my train of thought working in that direction."

The losses took their toll on Riley, 63, who also stepped down as Heat coach before the 2003-04 season, again staying on as president. He reclaimed the bench in December 2005, winning his fifth NBA title as ...