http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketb...fla-sports-heat MIAMI -- Two years after stepping down as Heat coach, team president Pat Riley is on the verge of resuming the position. The Heat has called an 11 a.m. Monday media conference at AmericanAirlines Arena, where Riley is expected to take over for Stan Van Gundy, who has led the Heat deep into the playoffs in his two seasons with the franchise.
Wow I smell a huge cover up. Pat Riley probably paid Van Gundy a enormous sum to make statements like "resign, family issues, and "Riley urged me to stay". Yeah right.
This was no shock and you have to be an idiot not to know that this was going to happen eventually. Several analyst's were predicting this as well after the Heat got slapped by Detroit in game 7 in Miami. I think in down right dirty and a slap in the face for Van Gundy. And this is all an lame excuse other than getting fired. They most likely said "resign with an excuse or get the boot on national tv". I also want to ask "Was it possible that Riley had acting lessions while in LA?" because he sure did a good job crying at the PC. Also going to be more funny seeing the Heat choke this year with Riley manning the reigns.
This is going to be a huge turn around for the Heat this season. After their poor start I still see this team getting about 55 wins. Riley will run the offense through the Diesel on every possesion Shaq is in the game. The Heat can succeed and get back to their roots of last year easier this way. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Also going to be more funny seeing the Heat choke this year with Riley manning the reigns. </div> I wouldn't say they choked. With a healthy Wade or Shaq they easily would've gotten to the Finals.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting N4S:</div><div class="quote_post">^ I said "choke" meaning in the future. You put it as choked as in the past.</div> This team will be much more disciplined than last year and with Riley running things they will not allow teams to score so much on them. I also think that Riley will find a role for Toine where he wont be taking as many shots as he is now, plus now we get Shaq back now you can really see what we can do with Artest basically out the door from Indy.
Not a shock to me I think the media had more to do with this resigning then Riley did. The media had been saying all along that Riley would take over and i think Stan had, had enough and decided to resign.
IF the Heat do end up winning it all this year, that might be pat riley's most impressive title. coming in during the season, managing all the offensive talents, etc. I just don't see it happening this year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker15:</div><div class="quote_post">This team will be much more disciplined than last year and with Riley running things they will not allow teams to score so much on them. I also think that Riley will find a role for Toine where he wont be taking as many shots as he is now, plus now we get Shaq back now you can really see what we can do with Artest basically out the door from Indy.</div> The rules have changed to prevent teams from playing defense the way Riley coached his players. You can no longer take shots at players running across the lane, and you can't use both hands to check a player anymore. These were staples to Riley's defense when he coached the Knicks. They would literally beat up on teams and win games by being very physical and punishing offensive players in order to control the paint. Pat Riley has a completely different philosophy than SVG on offense. SVG wanted the shots to be distributed to get everyone involved. Riley in contrast wants to get the ball to Shaq the majority of the time and the rest of the players will feed off the looks he creates. The question becomes, can Shaq still shoulder a team in the NBA at his age and current physical condition? At the same time, Riley will expect his players to give maximum effort on defense. Can he convince his players to play defense if they aren't involved in the offense as much? These will be some things to watch for once Riley takes over. Riley's style is proven, but he still has to sell his style to players like Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, and Jason Williams.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">The rules have changed to prevent teams from playing defense the way Riley coached his players. You can no longer take shots at players running across the lane, and you can't use both hands to check a player anymore. These were staples to Riley's defense when he coached the Knicks. They would literally beat up on teams and win games by being very physical and punishing offensive players in order to control the paint. Pat Riley has a completely different philosophy than SVG on offense. SVG wanted the shots to be distributed to get everyone involved. Riley in contrast wants to get the ball to Shaq the majority of the time and the rest of the players will feed off the looks he creates. The question becomes, can Shaq still shoulder a team in the NBA at his age and current physical condition? At the same time, Riley will expect his players to give maximum effort on defense. Can he convince his players to play defense if they aren't involved in the offense as much? These will be some things to watch for once Riley takes over. Riley's style is proven, but he still has to sell his style to players like Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, and Jason Williams.</div> Good post man Well he's the one that brought all the offensive talents so...I'm sure he has some ideas in his mind. I just dont want to see another low scoring Heat. I have loved this team for entire life...but come on SCORE 50 by half time...not by the end of 3rd quarter!
