Erik Spoelstra/Photo by Associated Press

One thing about NBA coaches, you won’t hear them tear down an opposing team very often. Part of that is probably mutual respect among coaches, part of that is not giving an opponent any chalkboard material.

Prior to Sunday’s Clippers game against the Miami Heat, who upset the Clippers with a 104-90 victory, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra was asked what he thinks the Clippers might be missing for a potentially long post-season run. The question, of course, was based on the inconsistency of the Clippers. Spoelstra’s response was almost predictable.

“Why is there something missing?” Spoelstra said to the inquiring reporter. “It’s competition. At the end of the day, you never know. You get in a seven-game playoff series, anything can happen, especially after you get past that first round. They have enough, and the Western Conference is very competitive.”