quentinRiley Won't Coach Heat
June 21st 2011 16:47
After a disappointed season, the Miami Heat said that Pat Riley will not coach them. The Miami Heat lost to the Dallas Mavericks, 4-2 in the NBA Finals. Riley said that the Miami Heat had a great year but a disappointing ending. In a 40 minute question and answer session, Pat Riley said he wanted to maintain continuity around the Big Three: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. He challenged the three players to come back with improvements. Riley also said that Eric Spoelstra will return for his fourth year as the Miami Heat head coach, which is Spoelstra's last year on his current contract. Riley said there has been no talks about working a long-term extension with Spoelstra. Pat Riley will continue to guide the Heat basketball operations. Riley was asked if he had the urge to coach again. He said with an emphatic “No, I'm not going to.” Riley is going to continue to support the young coach, Eric Spoelstra.
Riley discussed in the Q&A session about James' drop off production in the Finals. He said he met James after the series was over and told him “To take a hard look at film.” He added that he wanted to see Bosh work on his physical conditioning and get stronger during the off season; to see Wade maintain his health and consistency. Riley said he did not have any regrets of signing James and Bosh during the off season. He said he did not consider trading any of the Big Three during their rough start. Riley said “The greatest thing in the history of south Florida sports was those guys three guys coming together, with the exception of 1972 Miami Dolphins.” Riley acknowledged that he knew what everybody expected from the Heat this season, but it did not happen. He said, “We (Miami Heat) are good enough. We have enough. We will do all the things we need to do to get better.”
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