Pat Riley
Pat Riley
Patrick James "Pat" Rileyis an American professional basketball executive, and a former coach and player in the National Basketball Association. He has been the team president of the Miami Heat since 1995 and head coach in two separate tenures. Widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, Riley has served as the head coach of five championship teams, four with the Los Angeles Lakers and one with the Heat...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth20 March 1945
CityRome, NY
CountryUnited States of America
We came out strong, but we couldn't finish it and you've got to give them credit. Their defense was fresh, energized, committed; it was knowing. They knew where we were going to go with the ball, and they took it away. It was tie, tie, tie, and once it got down to four or six points, there was no coming back for us.
Nobody knew he was hurt because he wanted the two points on the lay-up so bad. He drove all the way down and dunked the ball, and then blood was rushing out of his nose. That's who he is. He'll fight through anything. I love him, respect him, admire him and I wish more of our guys would take on his attitude.
When I left, I knew the end was near. I didn't think it was going to be 48 hours. ... Anybody who's been through it, you understand. I've got a job to do and I'm going to do it.
Their defense was fresh, energized, committed. They knew where we were going to go with the ball and they took it away.
The guy was absolutely on a torrid pace. We knew that, but we didn't come out and jump on him and shut him down. As a matter of fact, we played him rather passively.
We just had a hard time guarding the ball on the dribble.
We just had a great first quarter. I mean, it was just incredible. I don't think I've ever seen this team play like that.
We weren't sharp. They came out with more energy and their offense was much more crisp.
We feel very fortunate that we were able to acquire the services of a multifaceted player in Derek Anderson , whom we had interest in this summer before he signed with Houston. We feel that he will be able to play three positions for us, giving us added versatility.
We controlled the game for the most part except for the end of the second quarter. Alonzo had a huge impact on the game defensively. He gave us a defensive lift when we needed it.
I've seen a lot of plays like that. I coached Magic Johnson.
I've spoken to James about it. He understands. He just wants to win and he'll do whatever it takes.
I spent four days in New York with my family, with my mother, and during the process of being there also I was able to do some things. I was getting ready while I was up there.
I sort of had a tendency to forget about him because he was hurt for so long.