Filipino American coach brings Miami Heat to NBA finals

Miami Heat head coach Eric Spoelsra heading to NBA finals.

Eric Spoelstra, the first and only Asian American manager of a major sports franchise, will be returning to the National Basketball League finals after a 7-year absence.

The 50-year old Filipino American head coach last led the Miami Heat to two consecutive NBA championships in 2012 and 2013.

He returns to the finals after his current team beat the Boston Celtics Sunday evening, 125-113, four games to two, at the NBA's coronavirus-free bubble in Orlando, Florida. The Heat will play and the Los Angeles Lakers will begin the championship sseries Wednesday with the Heat playing the role of underdog.

When the Spolestra-led Heat won the two championships, the team had the NBA's first super-team with three sure Hall of Fame players on its roster: Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosch.

This time, James will be on the opposing team along with another superstar, 6 foot, 10-inch power forward Anthony Davis.

Spoelestra's team was ranked 5th in the playoff charts and had to upset the No. 1 team, the Milwaukee Bucks. to reach the finals. With a collection of merging players led by star Jimmy Butler, the Heat are decided underdogs in the David vs. Goliath matchup.

When the NBA began staging Filipino Heritage Month several years ago, Spoelstra, whose mother is from the Philippines, was thrilled. “At first, I thought it was just going to be with us. and then I found out Golden State was involved and then I found out it was going to be honored around the NBA, I had goosebumps thinking about it,” Spoelstra said.

“Obviously, my heritage is really important to me and my family and I’m proud to be Filipino. But when it’s recognized in the NBA it’s such a special thing.”