12/21/24
December 12, 2005
Pat Riley - New Heat Coach: What had been a rumor prior to the season has come true.
posted by Bill Lumbergh to basketball at 10:35 AM - 36 comments
I did not see this coming. Really? It's only been predicted since the middle of last season, training camp and the start of this season.
posted by dusted at 11:45 AM on December 12, 2005
No kidding (though I wonder if tron7 is being sarcastic). And I love that Riley supposedly begged Van Gundy to stay. I doubt the coach will make much difference. It all hangs on Shaq, they go as far as he takes them. DWade + Shaq = Great. Either by himself = Not enough.
posted by panoptican at 11:52 AM on December 12, 2005
And just in time for Shaq's return. Wonder if Riles will be able to turn things around.
posted by yerfatma at 11:52 AM on December 12, 2005
Lot's of time to 'turn around' the season. If the Pacers trade Artest, you gotta like Detroit or Miami to come out of the East.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:16 PM on December 12, 2005
I don't get it. I am guessing that Shaq requested that Van Gundy step down or something like that. Has anyone watched this team play this year? Gary Payton is so wshed up its almost disgusting watching him play. Didn't the Heat watch Payton when he played for the Lakers? Payton was a great player, but cannot defend like he used to and for some reason can't shoot anymore. As for Antoine Walker, the man looks lost out there, whether Shaq is in the line up or not. He too has lost his shooting touch and confindence and I think its a matter of not being confortable. I really think Antoine is a good player, however can only exist on teams that he can be the #1 or #2 guy. Which means that the teams he plays on will not be very good. I think the Heat made a major mistake this off season by getting rid of Butler and Odom. How will Riley make that big of a difference? Not saying he isn't a great coach, however he had incredible players with the Lakers. Just look at Phil Jackson and the Lakers. I just think NBA coaching is highly overrated. Just look at Phil in LA and Larry in NY. Heat have more talent than the Knicks or Lakers, but its not going to matter.
posted by bburrell33212121 at 12:23 PM on December 12, 2005
I was tired of Pat Riley back when Kareem was running the floor with James Worthy. Shaq is never going to remain healthy, and by playoff time all we'll be hearing is how banged up Shaq is, how he may not be able to play, etc. This move, however, should surprise nobody. Riley's an attention-seeking egomaniac who can only stay behind the scenes so long.
posted by dyams at 12:48 PM on December 12, 2005
Riley's an attention-seeking egomaniac who can only stay behind the scenes so long. Y'all are talking like you have forgotten that Pat Riley is one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NBA, he has won four championships, and is second only to Phil Jackson for playoff wins, second only by one game; I bet he beats Phil this year on that one. Pat Riley knows how to assemble winners. He did have some good teams that failed to make it, but he also won it four times. How can you call someone so proven an egomaniac? I think that Miami made an excellent addition to a nearly great team, and has made them almost unstoppable, if Shaq can stay healthy...
posted by everett at 01:00 PM on December 12, 2005
Anyone else have a hard time beleiving that Van Gundy is quitting to be with his family? Did he not know what the schedule was before the season started? Is he not used to the rigors of coaching, what with decades of experience in both the college and the pro levels? Maybe I'm too skeptical, but this all seems staged.
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 01:15 PM on December 12, 2005
Pat Riley is the one who is washed up. Lots of egos floating around in this situation. Riley, Shaq and all of the other verteran players. Was Van Gundy forced out-maybe. I just think that too much is being made of Van Gundy stepping down. I hope he and his family has a very Merry Christmas. Bold prediction-Riley's coaching wont make a difference and the Heat again fall short of their goal! i.e. an NBA Championship!
posted by daddisamm at 01:21 PM on December 12, 2005
What kind of coach leaves his team when they have a real chance for a champoinship. His duaghter already doesn't really know who he is, might as well try to win at something. Seems like tryin' to catch up on 14 years is already a lost cause.
posted by ELWAY_FAN at 01:22 PM on December 12, 2005
bburrell33212121: I think the Heat made a major mistake this off season by getting rid of Butler and Odom. You do realize that happened two years ago, right? And that they got a guy named Shaq?
posted by dusted at 01:52 PM on December 12, 2005
What kind of coach leaves his team when they have a real chance for a champoinship The kind that are forced out..
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 01:59 PM on December 12, 2005
It's all on Shaq's physical well being. He's healthy, they compete at a 1-2-3 seed. He's not and they disappear in round two of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Van Gundy, Riley, Joe Blow, or John Smith ..... It's all about the Big Fella.
posted by mustang71 at 03:55 PM on December 12, 2005
How can you call someone so proven an egomaniac? When the last title was in the late '80s. VanGundy would have won with that team last season if Wade and Shaq were healthy at crunch time. Reilly won't do any more. Reilly IS a great coach, historically, but, like most, he's only as good as his (healthy) talent.
posted by dyams at 04:06 PM on December 12, 2005
Riley on the bench is what I always wanted to see again. At least (Riley) is not obese, like Stan Not the Man.
posted by Joe88 at 04:12 PM on December 12, 2005
obese? Van Gundy?
posted by daddisamm at 04:19 PM on December 12, 2005
Riley on the bench is what I always wanted to see again. At least (Riley) is not obese, like Stan Not the Man. He's the obvious choice if you have a crush on him or something. That's your business, Joe.
posted by dyams at 04:41 PM on December 12, 2005
I haven't seen an obese pro coach since Ken Hitchcock slimmed down. Van Gundy isn't going to win the Olympic high jump or anything, but that's unfair. And What kind of coach leaves his team when they have a real chance for a champoinship? The kind who suddenly realizes he's not shithouse-rat insane the way a Head Coach needs to be. Riley didn't look like he'd just won a palace coup or anything. He looked kind of weary, actually, like he heard Stan's arguments for leaving and they actually made a lot of sense to him.
posted by chicobangs at 04:43 PM on December 12, 2005
obese? Van Gundy? Different Van Gundy, dada. It's his brother.
posted by yerfatma at 05:14 PM on December 12, 2005
At least (Riley) is not obese, like Stan Not the Man. And how exactly does weight correlate with being a good coach?
posted by lilnemo at 05:22 PM on December 12, 2005
I'm with lilnemo here, fat guys coach just as well as skinny guys... I did a study on it in one of my classes...
posted by everett at 06:01 PM on December 12, 2005
I have always thought that Jeff van Gundy looked like an accountant trying unsuccessfully to hide a cocaine problem. nevertheless he is (was?) a good coach.
posted by drjimmy11 at 06:43 PM on December 12, 2005
Paging Rick Majerus ... Coach Majerus to the white courtesy phone ... 
Look Betty, don't start up with your white zone shit again.
posted by wfrazerjr at 07:02 PM on December 12, 2005
Riley took average talent plus one superstar (Ewing) to the playoffs for quite a few years in a row. Starks, Oakley, etc etc etc. He may be washed up, dunno how anyone would know, but he's a pretty good coach judging from the years in the Garden. So was Van Gundy. The thing I like, is that he changes to suit his players and the talent level, he doesn't just stick to 'his' system. I doubt there was alot going on behind the scenes but who knows. Normally, I'd guess so too, but Riley and the Van Gundy's go WAY back.
posted by sfts2 at 07:49 PM on December 12, 2005
I really don't see how anyone can shit on Riley. He won all those championships with LA, got the Knicks to overachive for years and with the talent he has on the Heat right now you have to like them as at least the second best team in the East (thereby making them second best in the league) I have no doubt the Heat will be back in it again this year.
posted by HATER 187 at 08:11 AM on December 13, 2005
you have to like them as at least the second best team in the East (thereby making them second best in the league) I'm pretty certain the S.A. Spurs might have a problem with that assessment, Hater.
posted by smithers at 08:25 AM on December 13, 2005
I have always thought that Jeff van Gundy looked like an accountant trying unsuccessfully to hide a cocaine problem Cmon, am I the only person that thought he bore a striking resemblance to this guy?
posted by MeatSaber at 10:03 AM on December 13, 2005
Cmon, am I the only person that thought he bore a striking resemblance to this guy? No, I just didn't want to admit I knew who R.J. was.
posted by HATER 187 at 10:12 AM on December 13, 2005
The Hedgehog! Never saw the resemblance before today. Thanks. Now everytime I see Van Gundy I'm gonna hear a cheesy porno soundtrack playing in my head.
posted by willthrill72 at 11:27 AM on December 13, 2005
with the talent he has on the Heat right now you have to like them as at least the second best team in the East Isn't that the same as they were last year?
posted by dyams at 11:30 AM on December 13, 2005
with the talent he has on the Heat right now you have to like them to remain as the second best team in the East. How's that you knit picking bastard.
posted by HATER 187 at 11:36 AM on December 13, 2005
This team isn't getting by the Pistons, period. Shaq can't do anything against Detroit, he had 3 hall of famers around him a couple years back and got shut down by the Pistons, what makes you think Dwayne Wade and TWAN are gonna do any better with Shaq being a couple years older? Doesn't matter who coaches them.
posted by Masked at 12:18 PM on December 13, 2005
How's that you knit picking bastard. I can only go by what you write, not what you meant to write. Plus, the only reason Riley should take over as coach is because he can get them into the finals, past the Pistons (and to a championship). That's the only improvement they could make. "Remaining" second best in the East ain't shit.
posted by dyams at 01:11 PM on December 13, 2005
I hope he can get them over that hump. They are a really fun team to watch.
posted by HATER 187 at 01:14 PM on December 13, 2005
It was obvoius that someone wanted Van Gundy OUT. Could've been Shaq, could've been Riley... it doesn't matter. HE's OUT NOW. Riley should do good with the depth that he has, and as long as Shaq is healthy they have no limits. The Pistons are GREAT, but the Heat are just as good talent-wise and will prove themselves in the next month. With Shaq or ZO in at all times, no matter who the coach, this will be a tough team to beat.
posted by Snikastyle at 01:14 PM on December 15, 2005
I did not see this coming. In the long run do you think riley will be better or worse than van gundy?