Pat Riley puts an end to the rumour mill; Says he will not return to coach Miami Heat – NBA Update
Pat Riley confirmed on Tuesday that he will not return to coaching. There were suggestions in the media that the Miami Heat General Manager would step out of the front office to take control of the team himself. The legendary former
head coach is 66 years old and said that he does not wish to return to the sidelines. He also endorsed the current coach of the Miami Heat.
Pat Riley made it clear when asked about a return to coaching,
“No, I’m not going to do that…..”
Pat Riley is one of the most respected head coaches in the history of the game and was named as one of the Top Ten Coaches in NBA History.
Riley is also one of only 11 people to have won the NBA World Championship both as a player and a coach. Riley won the NBA World title four times while coaching the Los Angeles Lakers in the 80s. Riley guided NBA legends such as
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson during his time with the Lakers.
His most recent NBA World Championship came with the Miami Heat in 2006 when he led the Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade duo to success over the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals.
However, the roles were reversed this time around as it was the Miami Heat at the wrong end of a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Miami were considered favourites going into the Finals as they boasted a Big Three
comprising of superstars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
The loss therefore raised questions over current coach Erik Spoelstra’s future. Although Spoelstra did a remarkable job of moulding the newly assembled super squad into a unit and guiding them to the NBA Finals, there were suggestions
after the Finals that perhaps the young coach did not have the experience and nous required for handling the biggest stage.
Pat Riley dismissed any such suggestions and reaffirmed his belief in Erik Spoelstra,
“Definitely we’re going to bring Erik back. As far as any long-term type of situation, that has not been discussed….”
Pat Riley also put another rumour to rest in his interview, the one regarding the future of Miami’s Big Three. Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James had been brought together just last summer and were two games away from clinching
the NBA World Championship at the first try. Still, incredibly, whispers could be heard calling for at least one of the three to be traded.
Pat Riley seemed annoyed by the idea and said that such thoughts never crossed his mind. The Miami Heat are very happy with what they have got,
“There was never any thought, never any discussion of moving any of those guys,” he said (of their big three). “I’m happy we have those three together.”
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