Miami Heat president Pat Riley is known to swing for the fences, and here are his best home runs.
Pat Riley joined the Miami Heat in 1995 amidst much fanfare and controversy. Riley announced his departure to the New York Knicks via fax (how times have changed).
In his time with the Heat, Riley has transformed the Heat into one of the most respected and admired franchises in the league. Like his time with the Lakers and the Knicks, Riley’s teams have been renowned for their hard work, discipline and sacrifice. As he once stated, “you’re either in your’e out”.
He was not afraid to make moves, and wasted little time in doing so. Blockbuster trades for Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway in his first year in charge exemplify this.
The Heat have three titles, five trips to the NBA Finals and nine 50-plus win seasons (and it would be 11 if not for two lockout-shortened seasons) under his watch in his time on South Beach. Accomplishing back-to-back titles with separate franchises, as both a head coach and team president, speaks for itself.
This post will focus on the best moves of Riley’s time in Miami. The ranking of these moves are based on the impact each individual move made on the success and overall shape of the franchise.
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