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 wanted Damon. We felt this was the best place for him. What they wanted, we were unwilling to do. We traded for a starting point guard. How much are you willing to pay a backup?
I thought Jason was great. I love him as a point guard. I wouldn't have traded for him if I didn't. And I thought Wade was really good. He was magnificent.
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.
We're going to go at it (Wednesday) without trying anything new. I think if we ever get to that point where we play them down the road we'll probably have a few other things that they haven't seen.
We started to play very well at the end of the quarter and from that point on defensively we did a good job. We moved the ball real well and had other guys stepping up. I thought Antoine was really good tonight and we got the win.
The points that he scored really weren't ones that hurt us.
He understands what he needs to do to get himself ready. And I think he's very, very smart in what he's doing in dropping the weight and getting down to a point where it's going to extend his career. I think he understands that, even though he won't admit it.
He'd average 20 points a game if he was put in that role every night and I'll be damned if I'm not going to try to put him in that role - now. You forget a little bit about how good he can be if he gets good opportunities.
He needs to dominate. We know it, he knows it. And it isn't a question of whether or not the ball is coming to him, he's got to go get it. It's getting to the point where it's got to be 10, 12, 14, 15 every night. When Shaq goes after the basketball then he's going to get those 15 rebounds.
If he's put in that role every single night, he'd average 20 points per game. You sort of forget a little bit how good he can be when he gets a number of good opportunities.
If he's out we're scrambling a little bit. But I can't find a point guard out there I would play anyhow other than in practice. If there's one out there that's going to come in and be a starter, bring him to me. If there's one out there that's going to play significant backup minutes where is he?
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.