Reports: Riley likely to step down as Heat coach, to remain as president <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>It looks like suffering through a 15-67 season is enough to move Pat Riley off the bench and back into the front office. According to multiple media reports, the future Hall of Famer is expected to step down as the Miami Heat's head coach at a news conference set for 4 p.m. ET. The reports -- from the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald and The Associated Press -- say Riley will stay on as team president. The Sun Sentinel reported that current Heat assistant coach Erik Spoelstra would replace Riley. Riley has been Miami's head coach since taking over just 21 games into the 2005-06 season for Stan Van Gundy. That season, Riley helped lead the Heat to an NBA championship. Just two years later, his team owned the league's worst record. The .183 winning percentage this season matched the worst mark in franchise history originally set by the 1988-89 expansion team. Riley had previously said he would make a decision about his future after meeting with Heat owner Micky Arison at the conclusion of the season. In working on his dual role as coach and team president, Riley missed four games this season to scout players who may be available to the Heat in this year's NBA draft. Miami has the best chance of obtaining the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, and by having the league's worst record is assured of getting a top-four selection. Unless he comes back -- he has once before -- Riley finishes his career with a 1,210-694 regular-season record, good for third most victories in NBA history behind Lenny Wilkens and Don Nelson. He won seven championships in all, five as a head coach, one as an assistant and one as a player, and was voted into the 2008 Hall of Fame class this month. His induction is Sept. 5.</div>
I feel sorry for the gullible sap that'll coach this team as it gets rebuilt, only to get canned when it returns to the playoffs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Apr 28 2008, 02:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I feel sorry for the gullible sap that'll coach this team as it gets rebuilt, only to get canned when it returns to the playoffs.</div> They're still in pretty damn good shape IMO. You got Wade, a top pick in the draft, a ton of cap room if Marion opts out (reportedly Riley is in love with Brand), and last but certainly not least: you play in the NBA JV league- nay, Freshman league (the Eastern conference). If they go into next season with Wade, Brand, a bunch of marginal role players and a Beasley, Rose, R. Lopez, etc. they're still looking pretty good. I mean, come on you only have to beat out the Hawks to get a playoff birth.
What a weasel, hell of a president though. I can't believe he got Phoenix to take Shaq, that just great managing skills.
