The Miami Heat won their first title in the 2005-06 season. It was the greatest player in franchise history, Dwyane Wade, and Shaquille O’Neal tandem that was able to take the Miami Heat all the way to their first taste of glory.
Coaching that initial Miami Heat title team was none other than The Godfather and the Miami Heat’s current team president, Pat Riley. Here’s the thing though, Riley only had a regular-season record that year of 41-20.
Yes, your math is correct, as that’s only 61 games. Any longtime or history buff type of Miami Heat fan already knows where this one is headed.
The other 21 games, the first 21 games of that year, came under a different head guy. Just a season removed from losing in the Eastern Conference Finals and losing in the semifinals in the year before that one, his first with the team, Pat Riley came down and took over for then head coach, Stan Van Gundy.
History at this point, it was for the better, as it worked out in the Heat’s favor to win a title that season. That doesn’t speak to Van Gundy’s acumen as a coach though.
Former Miami Heat head coach, Stan Van Gundy, had some amazing things to say about this team Tuesday, giving them one of the highest possible compliments.
In fact and though he has gotten some pretty raw deals over the years, with situations not materializing as they should, that doesn’t speak to his basketball knowledge either. That’s where he actually shines and a huge reason why he always finds himself with a job.
Whether that be as a coach or on television as an analyst. Another fact, he actually covered the last Miami Heat game, a Tuesday evening TNT game, and one in which he had quite the bit to say about this current Heat team.
From saying that they thrive on the ability to develop the talent that not a lot of people see value in, to praising how they shot the three-ball on Tuesday, it was a beautiful broadcast to behold. There is something that he said that stood above all of that though.
From a guy that knows a thing or two about the game, he basically said that he would have the Miami Heat team as the best in the Eastern Conference. He framed it in a manner in which he said that he wouldn’t take another team over them in the playoffs in that conference.
Those are strong words from a guy in the know like he is. It’s also encouraging to hear because it means that we aren’t just seeing things through a homer’s lenses.
The Miami Heat really are title contenders and others around the league think so too.