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
I think probably a month ago or two months ago we wouldn't even come close to winning a game like this. We were very frustrated in the beginning with some very good defensive tactics on their part. They were just committed to fouling Shaquille (O'Neal) every single time.
We feel his decision to come back is going to be critical toward our success and goal of winning an NBA championship. We have the utmost respect for Alonzo and he deserves to be part of this championship run.
We had to buckle down, and I thought in the second half, especially in winning time that period in the fourth quarter when we had to make stops, we made some tough spots.
We have been able to secure one of the most dominant men to ever play the game of basketball as a member of the Heat, ... At the same time, we have gained the flexibility to achieve our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.
We were a minute and a half away from the Finals -- big deal, ... It's about winning a championship.
We're a winning team. Right now, that's all we are. And for us to get to another level, then there's going to have to be a tremendous amount of improvement in the overall commitment to a greater effort for 48 minutes.
We're a winning team. Right now, that's all we are.
There's a real heaviness to our team and I feel it. I'm trying to lighten it up. Because there are so many distractions and so many things going on, it's heavy and it wears on guys. We don't want this. We want to win. We are winning, but we're not winning at the rate people want us to win.
He's got size. He's very strong. He shoots (43%) from the three. He can post up. He's very methodical. He plays the game until he needs to determine the difference between winning and losing. That's what he's developed into.
He's had some pretty ... good games. He's playing extremely well, we're winning and he's stepping up.
I also believe Odom would complement Eddie Jones and Brian Grant, our two veteran leaders. As I have said before, we are committed to winning and will do whatever it takes to give our fans talented players and a great team.
Whatever it takes to win.
In all the research you do as a coach, studying other coaches and championship-type situations, you find that all those teams combined talent with great defense. You've got to stop other teams to win.
From nobody to upstart. From upstart to contender. From contender to winner. From winner to champion. From champion to Dynasty.