The long -awaited end of the Pat Riley’s end -of -season press conference offered valuable information. From Jimmy Butler to Tyler Herro, passing through his own case and the future of Heat, the boss of South Beach has not eluded any theme.
Each season is a bit of a classic, we look forward to the Pat Riley press conference. The boss of Miami Heat does not have his tongue in his pocket and he never hesitated to swing his truths, for the better or for the worst.
Speaking of the worst, Riley was obviously questioned at length about the Jimmy Butler case. The drama around the winger was a weight in the Miami season, weighing the atmosphere in the locker room before Jimmy spins in Golden State. For Riley, there is no doubt that this episode did not help his team, however, and even if he knows that he has his share of responsibilities, do not count on him to regret his decision from last summer (not to extend Butler).
“There is no doubt that what happened with Jimmy had a considerable impact on our team. There is no doubt about this. It is therefore to me that the responsibility is. I will take the blame if you want”.
“But I’m not going to apologize for refusing an extension of a contract when it was not necessary. And I don’t think I should do it”.
Once the butler theme has passed (to whom he wished all the best for the future), Pat Riley went to another important theme, the next maneuvers in Miami. The team was exploded in the first round by the Cavs and the manager expects movement this summer.
“We have to make changes, without a doubt. We know what we have to do and what we have just lived (in playoffs). But we are not this team, the score of the last two games against the Cavs does not reflect this team.”
If the boss opened the door to the arrival of a star in the offseason, he categorically refused the idea of a reconstruction.
“We are not going to leave with the same group. […] In terms of our draft picks we are in a great situation, in terms of our financial place it will take time before being in a good situation. If a superstar is available so much the better, but it will require space as in 2010 when we created the Big Three. ” […]
-“We have never broken everything to reconstruct everything. Should major changes take place? No. I always said, we are here to win.”
Pat Riley is not against adding an elderly star (KD?) To his workforce. He just wants to make sure that the contract is in a good place, and that in the state of mind the player will enter into what the Heat, and in particular staff coaching, will want to set up.
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Always ambitious, Pat Riley would therefore see himself offering reinforcement to his strong duo of the moment, namely Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Regarding the latter, eligible for an extension this summer, the “godfather” hopes that he will remain in the long term in Florida.
“I hope he (Tyler Herro) can make Miami all his career. We are happy to have it, he is fundamental in our attack.”
Finally, his personal case was also mentioned. We often forget it but Pat Riley is no longer young, he is 80 years old. While more and more voices are echoed on the need to change bosses, the former strategist of Lakers Version Showtime does not want to hear about retirement.
“80 years is the new 60 years. I remain competitive like never before, I like this pressure. I was depressed by these first 2 games, but we discussed with the owners and they said to me: continue Pat. So I will continue and try to improve things.”
Source Text: ESPN
