Erik Spoelstra Quotes

I'd never switch to man-to-man unless we were able to play good man-to-man. Ever.

I've won plenty of games by knowing when to take out my pitcher; whom to replace him with; or how to place my infield or outfield to defend properly against the opposing hitter.

I don't love playing zone all the time, because it does have an effect on your offense.

I like playing size per position defensively.

Playing the nickel is something I'm very, very comfortable doing and I enjoy doing, but also, I know what me playing the safety position means to the entire defense.

There's a lot of things I can get better at as an individual, knowing where defenders are, having a better awareness. Those are things I can work on.

I was a guy that had a lot of tools and could do a lot of other things, but my main thing was controlling the defensive end of the court.

I think a goalkeeper has to participate at the back of the defence and come off the line to play.

When there's pressure on the ball, you can go man-to-man on your striker; you've got the advantage because the ball pressure means it'll be a difficult pass to play.

You mostly defend with your head, always reacting to the movement of opponents and teammates. I had to become more aware of that, play with much more consideration, the way you drive a car: you always need to look left, right, and the rear mirror to see what's going on around you.

I realize I have to continue to work on defense. I think a lot of people have to work on defense.

Offence doesn't concern me. It's easier for people to get layups than it is to get stops on defence or a block.

To be useful in defence, to win back the ball, you don't always have to go sliding into the tackle. It's also about your positioning; sometimes all you have to do is take a step back.

Coach K was fine with the way I played defense.

My shot-blocking ability, it's really second to none.

In New England, I learned so much about football. I always thought I was a smart player, even though I never thought about anything but the six inches in front of my face. In New England, I was forced to learn so many schematic concepts.

In college you could say 'Coach, let's go to zone,' when you're tired.

After every move, ask yourself what does my opponent want to do to me, and how can I prevent it?

I want to make sure the other point guard can't start his offense until 12 or 13 seconds. Then I've put my team in position to defend just one pick-and-roll and one pass.

At seven, I played centre-back. When you're so young, though, it's more to enjoy the training and to get a feel for the game. It's not heavy on tactics of a position. We were playing on a half pitch, seven against seven or eight against eight, so they say you're a centre-back, but it's not like the real definition.

I really wasn't a good defensive player at all.

The defensive phase is about the team, so it's about balance.

I'm a defender, and my first job is to make the team secure at the back; that's my primary responsibility.

I like consistency in defenders.

I think I'm a great defender, to be honest.