LeBron James Calls Erik Spoelstra '1 of the Greatest Ever,' Breaks Down Heat's Offense

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James paid one of his former head coaches a massive compliment on Friday.

Speaking on his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash (beginning at the 33:50 mark), James praised Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, calling him "one of the greatest coaches ever."

Before making that declaration, James and Nash discussed the unique offensive system the Heat have employed this season, which involves them setting the fewest screens in the NBA by far.

LeBron suggested that Spoelstra made the change out of necessity since All-Star guard Tyler Herro, who is a strong pick-and-roll player, missed the first 17 games of the season due to an ankle injury.

James noted that the system is tailored effectively to the Heat's personnel, and he expressed his belief it is difficult for opposing teams to prepare for on short notice.

Regarding Spoelstra and his adaptability as a head coach, James said, "He can continue to have a growth mindset and continue to change offensive things to fit his scheme and to fit his personnel."

Entering play Friday, the Heat were third in the Eastern Conference with a 13-6 record despite Herro only recently returning from injury. That comes on the heels of Miami finishing just 37-45 last season.

Over his 18 seasons as head coach of the Heat, Spoelstra has reached the NBA Finals six times and won a pair of championships.

Four of those Finals appearances and both titles came during the four years he coached James from 2010 to 2014.

Miami is the only one of James' three NBA stops at which he won multiple titles, and his comments suggest he has a great deal of respect for Spoelstra over what they accomplished together.