The funny Jalen Brunson is the reason Erik Spoelstra can’t look in the mirror

MIAMI – With Erik Spoelstra from the Miami Heat becomes the new coach of the USA men’s basketball team, there is no doubt that there is a wealth of talent in the NBA. As it is The Heat faced the New York Knicks last Friday and again on Monday night the games were without guards Jalen Brunsonsomeone who could easily be considered for Team USA, as Spoelstra gives his thoughts on the star.

Spoelstra would be asked before Monday’s game against the Knicks about the possibility of Brunson playing Team USA for future tournaments. While Spoelstra would say he has time to make scheduling decisions, he would express his love for Brunson to the point of saying that he “I can’t look in the mirror” with how much he loves the New York star.

Speaking of course about the long-standing rivalry between Miami and the Knicks, Spoelstra would even mention how Brunson checked in after the house fire, saying his sons were fans of the 29-year-old. However, jokingly, he says that it is “not allowed”.

“I mean, we’ve got plenty of time to do that,” Spoelstra said. “What I can say about Jalen is I really enjoyed my time, you know, working with him during the World Series, the World Series, and I’ve mentioned it to him, and I’ve mentioned it to other people. I just really don’t like myself, and I can’t look in the mirror as much as I’ve come to love him. He texted me the other day, he told me that my heart is so good. My two sons are Jalen Brunson fans, but I told them that’s not allowed.

Erik Spoelstra was asked about Jaylen Branson for Team USA. He would say he has time to make up his mind, but he was joking about how much he adored him. He said the kids adore him even though he wouldn’t let it lol

“I can’t look in the mirror how much I liked it…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/k6IKSM1RMtK

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 17, 2025

Erik Spoelstra expresses confidence that he will solve the problems with rebounds

If there is one thing it cost the Heat the game, shown in the matchups against the Knicks, those are the problems the team is facing. After Friday’s loss to New York, Miami allowed the most second-chance points in the NBA at 20.1 and also had the league’s third-worst defensive rebounding percentage, which is the percentage of available defensive boards, at 66.1 percent.

While it doesn’t help that the Heat have been without Bam Adebayo for six straight games, including Monday, the team as a whole is looking to improve in that area. Spoelstra expressed his confidence, saying that the team a “dedicated group.”

“We’re going to get better at it, Spoelstra said. “There’s a lot of different ways to win a game, so that’s not the only box we have to check at the end of the day… You know, it’s not always going to go your way. And that’s why I was shocked after the game that we had more second-chance points than they did.

“But there are those momentum moments during the game where they win and we lose,” Spoelstra continued. “And, you know, we want to put ourselves in a position where you just figure out if you’re playing well or not, just figure out how to get the V, the other stuff, we’re going to get better. This is a very dedicated group. I like the approach. I think we’re going to get better as the season goes on.”

Erik Spoelstra is confident that he will be better on the glass in Miami, he says that “this is a very dedicated group”.

Full answer: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/3OIISkDtVd

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 17, 2025

Either way, the Heat look to get back into the win column on Monday with a game against the Knicks, and if not, they’ll face Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.