A dominant performance from Fred VanVleet propelled the Houston Rockets to their ninth consecutive victory, further compounding the struggles of the Miami Heat. Following the game, Miami’s head coach Erik Spoelstra acknowledged VanVleet’s outstanding play during his postgame media session.
“He had one of those nights,” Spoelstra stated. “He’s a competitor, so it can look a lot of different ways when he just makes winning plays. It can be a deflection, steals. It can be 20 points. I think he had nine threes, that’s not totally typical. He was hitting some bombs.”
VanVleet’s explosive scoring performance underscored Miami’s own backcourt struggles. The Heat’s primary guards, Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr., combined for only 12 points, with Davion Mitchell contributing another 12 off the bench. Even when including Duncan Robinson’s four points as a reserve, Miami’s entire guard rotation was outscored by VanVleet alone.
Miami’s continued struggles are a growing concern, and Spoelstra faces increasing pressure to find a solution before the season spirals further out of control.
Is It Time for a Change in Miami’s Front Office?
Speculation is mounting regarding the future of longtime team president Pat Riley. At 80 years old, there are questions about whether he should step aside to allow fresh leadership to take over.
One well-known NBA analyst recently pointed out that despite Miami’s appeal as a destination, the franchise has struggled to attract top-tier talent in recent years. He cited key moments, such as LeBron James’ departure, Kevin Durant’s decision to sign elsewhere, and the failed pursuit of Damian Lillard. The analyst also referenced past incidents involving Riley’s interactions with players, suggesting they may have impacted Miami’s ability to secure major stars.
While Riley remains a respected figure in Heat history, the argument is being made that the franchise needs new leadership with fresh ideas to guide it into the future.
Calls for Riley’s Retirement Grow
A former NBA champion recently echoed these sentiments on his podcast, suggesting that Riley should step away and allow the organization to start over. He argued that the Heat should undergo a complete rebuild and that head coach Erik Spoelstra should be given more control over basketball operations.
While Riley’s eventual departure is inevitable, it remains unclear whether he plans to step down at the end of this season. If he chooses to push forward with roster retooling instead of embracing a full rebuild, Miami could continue to face challenges in sustaining long-term success. The organization must soon decide whether to overhaul the team now or risk delaying the inevitable restructuring process.