Ohio State’s Path to a Big Ten Tournament Championship
March 12, 2015What we’ve learned in the year since Brandon Weeden was cut by the Browns
March 12, 2015Miami Heat president Pat Riley did a pretty comprehensive chat with Ethan Skolnick at The Bleacher Report and it’s a fascinating read for Cavs fans. Riley is an undeniably talented executive who I think most Cavs fans had cast as akin to The Emperor in Star Wars. It was so easy to do with the thought of him being largely responsible for yanking LeBron James out of Cleveland. Now that LeBron is back, it’s easier to see the yin and yang of Pat Riley once the blinders of sports hatred are off.
Speaking specifically of LeBron leaving, Riley talks of his shock and compares it to if Magic Johnson would have left the Lakers.
“It would be like Magic and Kareem and [James] Worthy, they weren’t going to go anywhere,” Riley said. “They had come at a time when there were free agents. They weren’t going to go. You think Magic was going to leave Kareem? You think Kareem was going to leave Magic? You think Worthy was going to leave either one of those guys, or [Byron] Scott or [Michael] Cooper? No, they knew they had a chance to win every year. And this team had a chance every year. So that was shocking to me that it happened. Now, could we have done more? Could they have done more?”
Riley goes on to say that he’s not overly obsessed with it all to this day. He indicates that he dwelled on it for a bit after it happened, but then moved his focus to serving the talented players he had left on the roster. If true, that’s the healthiest thing for he and the Heat.
It would be so much easier if I hadn’t read this whole thing by Skolnick. It’s much easier when you leave your monsters as monsters out of central casting. When you see them humanized and have the layers of imagined nefariousness removed by the reality of the situation it’s almost too complex.
I still struggle with Riley taking loads of credit for building the LeBron-led Heat team, but I digress. He pulled it off. They were successful even in the face of many rooting against them and their tactics.
14 Comments
The conversation between Skolnick and Riley is exactly why LeBron left and exactly why old school Owners/GM’s are going to struggle in the new NBA.
Say it with me, REVENUE and BRANDING.
LeBron could have won 4 more titles in Miami and would still not be able to harness the power of the redemption storyline to his legacy.
Arinson/Riley would never forfeit control of a franchise/roster/money in the way the elite players will demand and get with the new CBA.
This ain’t your father’s NBA no more.
Meh, Riley and the City of Miami have seen championships in their city from multiple sports, multiple times. Bron hasn’t done anything traditional his whole career and Cleveland is STILL waiting for that elusive 1 championship it’s been seeking for like 50 years. Riley should easily get over it.
I don’t have your trouble scoffing at Pat Riley, Craig. His salesmanship and belief in self certainly led to his professional success. But BR’s cover pic is appropriate: he’s like the mob king who rues the loss of morality. LeBron, who’s nearing the end of his prime, should have been patient and loyal. But not when Riley was courting him as a younger athlete. Riley admits he’s impatient to win again. But LeBron shouldn’t be, even as he watches Wade breaking down and questionable FO moves. At least not when he’s with Riley.
I’m pretty cynical about septuagenarians who have only experienced the sheltered life of athletics but command fortunes for inspirational speaking engagements and books. I know janitors who are more self-aware, who at least get karma.
You know how Pat Riley is scheming or setting up something? His lips are moving.
ah yes, good old saying: Do not sound a trumpet before you so you may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, that will be your reward in full.
Not a septuagenarian until March 20th.
The Rat is a sexagenarian. I just threw up a little in my mouth.
I think Riley is delusional.
I knew I had heard the word “septuagenarian” used in a song before, but couldn’t for the life of me remember where (and having my iPod on didn’t help), so I admittedly googled it. Can anyone name the song without looking it up?
Boy George and Culture Club? Nah, I’m probably thinking of something else.
Dylan updated one of his old ’60s rants. It’s now called “Septuagenarian Homesick Blues.”
I kid. You’re thinking of a Fugs song, I think.
Don’t even know who that is. Had to go back to google to figure it out.
New Age Girl by Dead Eye Dick
Bingo.