<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">DALLAS - A meeting with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones about a real-estate venture brought Magic Johnson to town on Monday. But the topic of Pat Riley's return as Miami Heat coach proved irresistible to Johnson. Speaking to reporters before the Lakers' game at American Airlines Center, Johnson said he didn't know if Riley could succeed in raising Miami to the level of the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference. But Johnson added that Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade and the rest of the Heat players would notice a change starting from their very first practice with Riley, especially if it lasts upwards of three hours. "It's not really Shaq you have to look at," Johnson said. "You have to look at the other guys, because Pat's going to push, push and push. And if those guys aren't mentally tough, they're in for a rude awakening. They all should have hoped that (Stan) Van Gundy stayed." Johnson, a Lakers co-owner and vice president, also was asked about some of the Lakers' early-season games, in which Kobe Bryant was shooting as many as 36 times a night. "I love Kobe," Johnson said. "He's playing unbelievable basketball and he's got to understand the next level for him is just making the other guys better. That's all. And so maybe instead of taking 30 (shots), 25. Now take 25 shots and give those other shots to the other guys. "But he wants to win so bad, he feels he can do it by himself. He's got to realize he can't. That's why to me, he's taking all those shots." Johnson added: "He was just taking some bad shots, and he knew it, some shots that normally you've got to kick that ball, got to rotate it. But the one guy I never worry about is Kobe because he will adjust. He will make the adjustment himself." </div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting YourNewChef:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree with Johnson especially on the Riley comments. The Heat are in for a long season.</div> Actually I hope they are in for a short season, as in 1st Round elimination.
THe Heat are Doomed...same record as the Lakers right now 11-10. Miami playing in a weak eastern conference with most of the teams under .500. and Lakers with most of the teams above .500. The east is weak and Miami will not get any further than the first round.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually I hope they are in for a short season, as in 1st Round elimination. </div> Make that missing the playoffs
Riley is gonna end up killing Williams and Walker, especially everytime Walker misses a wide open three or JWill does something stupid. It's going to be funny to see how they take the pressure.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pablo23:</div><div class="quote_post">THe Heat are Doomed...same record as the Lakers right now 11-10. Miami playing in a weak eastern conference with most of the teams under .500. and Lakers with most of the teams above .500. The east is weak and Miami will not get any further than the first round.</div> I'll bet your everything that that won't happen...just by talent alone, they'll get in the 2nd round at the very least. If they really wanted, that could just take JWill and Walker out the game and keep in Shaq and Wade and they'll do everything themselves. Gotta be realistic man....besides, they have a pretty good chance of landing Artest too...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_fan:</div><div class="quote_post">Make that missing the playoffs </div> Yeah the Heat might start their early vacation..about the same time as the Lakers as well.
The heat would really have to collapse to not make the playoffs. I think experience alone will get them into the second round but I don't see it as out of the question to be eliminated by then. As for their record right now- even without Shaq they should be better than they are. They are in the SE conference, statistically the worst conference in the league. What I don't get is how everyone says how great wade is because he makes everyone better and can lead a team, when his team is the same as Kobe's and Kobe's playing in the west with a much less talented cast....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pablo23:</div><div class="quote_post">THe Heat are Doomed...same record as the Lakers right now 11-10. Miami playing in a weak eastern conference with most of the teams under .500. and Lakers with most of the teams above .500. The east is weak and Miami will not get any further than the first round.</div> well i agree that it will take miami time to adapt to riley's coaching however--you guys have to remember that they have the 11-10 record without Shaq so my prediction: yes--they will make the playoffs and yes--they will make the eastern conference finals however--it will be detroit advancing
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually I hope they are in for a short season, as in 1st Round elimination. </div> Lol, I hear you Shape. How about a long,painful season ending shorter than expected.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PlaTsanity:</div><div class="quote_post">well i agree that it will take miami time to adapt to riley's coaching however--you guys have to remember that they have the 11-10 record without Shaq so my prediction: yes--they will make the playoffs and yes--they will make the eastern conference finals however--it will be detroit advancing</div> I don't think Miami will adapt to Riley's coaching, because Shaq and Walker are too slow for his offense.
I think that Shaq and Walker will not thrive in this offense because, Riley coached showtime and loved fast moving basketball.
Actually out of all the big men the Heat have the one that would thrive under fast paced basketball is Walker. Although Riley loved the run and gun type basketball, his offensive systems have changed greatly from the Laker days. Now that he has Shaq to work with, I'm sure he'll be running half court plays almost all night long.
