Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra Bribes Big 3 to Win

By Sharmaine Jones

We recently reported that the Miami Heat were ready to implode, but we're happy to say that the Florida basketball team is finally clicking on all cylinders.

After a tumultuous 9-8 start, the Heat have gone on an impressive nine-game winning streak, bringing their record to 18-8. They didn't change the starting lineup and they haven't acquired any new players. So how did they do it? Good old-fashioned bribery.

According to the Miami Herald, coach Erik Spoelstra implemented a merit system that rewards star players for making defensive plays. For every defensive rebound Dwyane Wade grabs, he can make whatever offensive plays he wants. When LeBron James or Chris Bosh make a defensive stop, they control the offense the next time up the court. The tactic works for a number of reasons, mainly because it encourages defense.

“Our job is to defend and then we get rewarded with what we want to do on offense,” James told the Herald.

More importantly, however, it takes pressure off of Wade and James to fit into a structured offense that may inhibit their scoring abilities, and makes it difficult for opposing teams to prepare a defense against the Heat.  How does a team prepare to play against two of the greatest players in the league making on-the-fly offensive decisions? They can't.

So far, Spoelstra's system proves to be effective. In the last six games, the Heat held their opponents to an average 84 points and won each game by double-digit figures.  Will Miami continue to streak? Watch to find out as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m. EST.

What do you think of Erik Spoelstra's merit system? Tell us below or @MTV3.

Tags basketball, Chris Bosh, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dwyane Wade, Erik Spoelstra, Lebron James, Miami Heat, NBA