"Steve Kerr is cheeks but Rick Carlisle is bigger cheeks": NBA fans in stitches as Erik Spoelstra takes the crown in top 30 coaches

What Erik Spoelstra has accomplished with the Miami Heat after the LeBron James era is quite a feat. Typically, when a superstar leaves, the franchise they've just left languishes and becomes bottom-feeders for several seasons.

However, the Heat have managed to remain relevant thanks in large part to Spoelstra's coaching.

The 53-year-old coach has proven that he can lead a team, even one considered an underdog, all the way to the Finals. For all that he's accomplished, he earned the top spot in CBS Sports' ranking of all 30 NBA head coaches heading into the 2024-25 season.

As with any sports-related ranking, this one quickly gained attention and drew several responses. There were several comments expressing a disagreement with the rankings.

"Steve Kerr is cheeks but Rick Carlisle is bigger cheeks! WTH??" One fan said.

"Last 2 title winning coaches at 11 and 15," another pointed out.

"If we talking best all time active coach then (Gregg Popovich) for sure," one fan shared.

Meanwhile, other fans wholeheartedly agreed with Erik Spoelstra being number one in the rankings.

"To do what the Heat have done the last 5 years with 1 Top Ten player in the league, is truly unbelievable," one fan said.

"Number 1 is correct. And although I hate the Cs, I think Joe is too low," one person said.

"CBS Sports knows ball #HeatCulture," another chimed in.

Erik Spoelstra took over as the Miami Heat's head coach in 2008, immediately after the legendary Pat Riley vacated the position. Since that time, the Heat have only missed the Playoffs three times (2015, 2017, 2019).

Spoelstra's system always seems to bring out the best in his players and he can always put them in a position for a deep Playoff run.

The Heat are rarely number one in the standings, but people recognize that even with their underdog status, they are a force to be reckoned with and no one should take them lightly.

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Erik Spoelstra could be Team USA's next head coach

Team USA had just won another gold medal at the Olympics, this time under Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. However, he might not come back for the 2028 Olympics, as reported by Marc Stein.

While Kerr hasn't yet officially resigned as the coach, there are already candidates being looked upon to replace him. One of those candidates is Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.

Spoelstra was an assistant in Kerr's staff, helping the team secure the gold during the previous Olympics. Should he end up being promoted to head coach, Team USA will have a two-time NBA champion at the helm.

Spoelstra is well-known for being able to get the most out of his roleplayers and leading a group of underdogs to a deep Playoff run. Imagine what he can do with a stacked national squad.

Who knows which stars will play for Team USA in 2028 and if Erik Spoelstra will actually coach them. If he does end up being the head coach though, expect him to bring the best out of whoever ends up making the roster.