The Miami Heat are preparing to attack the offseason straight on. That could mean anything.
It could mean taking advantage of their draft pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. It could and should mean that they will look to do all they can to get better from the inside.
That means an improvement to players on both sides of the ball, as Miami Heat team president insinuated about Tyler Herro‘s defensive ability and Bam Adebayo‘s offense. It could also be of the more traditional route.
With the infamous NBA Moratorium Period set to open at the top of July, the Miami Heat could be influential players on the free agency market. It could mean anything.
Another aspect of getting better from the inside though could have absolutely nothing to do with the development of a player’s actual game though. A well known fact, when or if players are ever so fortunate enough to join the Miami Heat, they often find themselves in the best shape of their lives and playing careers.
Miami Heat: Pat Riley Doesn’t Do Hidden Agendas, Even On Kyle Lowry
However, that didn’t quite happen for one of the newest Miami Heat guys this season. Perhaps by no fault of his own or perhaps by the nature of the way it all went down, it just didn’t happen.
Here is Pat Riley discussing it, in his own words, from his end of the season presser.
Pat Riley on Kyle Lowry: He had a challenging year for a number of reasons. The bottom line with me is that you have to be in world class shape...He definitely is going to have to address that and it will be addressed. I think he can be in better shape. pic.twitter.com/DfTrLN2DFT
— Brendan Tobin (@Brendan_Tobin) June 6, 2022
Kyle Lowry dealt with a ton this past season.
From regular season bruises, to personal issues that caused him to miss quite a bit of time during the year, to the naggin hamstring injury that seemed to sap a ton of big time production from the championship point guard over the course of the Heat’s playoff run.
While it’s hard to illustrate a cause and effect relationship between the shape he was in and that last particular injury, it’s safe to assume there might be a correlation. Less weight to carry around, being in better physical condition, and just making sure those core needed body parts are as strong as possible can go a long way towards the season-long longevity of a player’s body.
So, Pat Riley did what Pat Riley does. He mentioned it.
Miami Heat: Kyle Lowry Needs To Be At His Best For Them To Be At Their Best
The uproar out there seems to be that he was taking a shot at Kyle Lowry. However, that really shows how much some people know about Pat Riley.
This is the same man that called out Bam Adebayo over the last two years about his offense, though more subtle-like last season than this one. This is the same man that, after Herro insinuated that he thought he was a starter, publicly addressed that by saying that Tyler has to be better on defense and come to camp looking to earn that spot.
Lastly and for the furthest most example, this is the same dude that, essentially, called out LeBron James. You guys remember this?
OK, so now Riley says "no more smiling faces with hidden agendas" could have been about anybody when asked about that comment.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 20, 2015
He doesn’t hide behind hidden quotes and he wasn’t being disrespectful to Lowry when he made those. He was calling it as it saw it, how we all saw it, and for what would be best for the team moving forward.
This way of operation is no different that he has always been. It’s what makes him The Godfather of the Miami Heat and the NBA.
He has the clout. He has the cachet to be able to say things like this and it be fine.
He’s an NBA legend. He’s an NBA Hall Of Famer.
He is the architect of multiple title teams in recent history and always among the best front office people in sports. If anybody can make those comments, it’s him.