Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spoke publicly Friday for the first time since his house was destroyed in a fire.
Spoelstra was on the team plane, making its way back to Miami from Denver, when the fire started.
The veteran coach said the support he and his family have received has been “absolutely remarkable.”
Nobody was hurt in the fire at the home. His three children were not at the house during the fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The coach said the team did offer him time off to deal with the situation, but he declined.
He was courtside for the Heat’s 126-108 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. ‘In a perfect world, I’d rather go home,’ Spoelstra said after the game, the emotion clear in his voice.
Spoelstra was joined by his children pregame as he spoke about the fire.
‘Things in the house, those things can be replaced,’ Spoelstra said before the game. ‘And if they can’t be replaced, what does it really matter? This is really what matters. Family, the closest ones, our dog was also safe, thank God. We’re just grateful. We’re grateful that everybody is safe and in a great place.’