Pat Riley

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Patrick James "Pat" Riley (born March 20, 1945) is an American National Basketball Association head coach and team president of the Miami Heat. Prior to Miami, he served as head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks.

Riley has widely been regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time; being the head coach of five championship teams, an assistant coach to another, and playing for one, bringing his total to seven championships overall. He most recently won the 2006 NBA Championship with the Miami Heat.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Playing career 1.2 Coaching career 1.2.1 Los Angeles Lakers 1.2.2 New York Knicks 1.2.3 Miami Heat 2 Outside of basketball 3 Trivia 4 College basketball statistics as a player 5 NBA statistics as a player 6 References 7 External links

Biography

Riley was born in Rome, New York, and raised in Schenectady.

Playing career

Riley played for Linton High School in Schenectady under coach Walt Pryzblo, where most notably he was a member of the team that defeated New York City's vaunted Power Memorial Academy whose star player, Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), would later become an integral part of Riley's coaching career. Riley was a versatile athlete in college, participating in both basketball and football. He led the 1966 University of Kentucky basketball team, coached by the legendary Adolph Rupp, to the NCAA title game, where they lost to Texas Western (now known as UTEP), a game that was immortalized in the movie Glory Road. He was selected by the San Diego Rockets in the 1st round of the 1967 NBA Draft, and was also drafted as a flanker by the Dallas Cowboys in the 11th round of the 1967 NFL Draft. He joined the Rockets and later signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, helping them win the 1972 NBA Finals. After a relatively undistinguished playing career, he retired in 1976 as a member of the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns.

Coaching career

Los Angeles Lakers

Riley returned to the NBA in 1977 as a broadcaster for the Lakers. During the 1979-80 season, when the team's head coach, Jack McKinney, was incapacitated following a bicycle accident, assistant coach Paul Westhead took over the team's head coaching duties. Riley then moved from the broadcast booth to the bench as one of Westhead's assistant coaches.

Riley became the Lakers' head coach during the 1981-82 season after Westhead's subsequent firing, and led the Lakers to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances. His first title came in his first season, against the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams returned to the Finals the next year, but Riley's Lakers were swept by the 76ers. The Lakers lost in the Finals again in 1984, to the Boston Celtics in seven games. The Lakers earned Riley his second NBA title as a coach in 1985 in a rematch of the previous year, as the Lakers beat the Celtics in six games. The Lakers' 4-year Western Conference streak was broken the following year by the Houston Rockets.

Riley redeemed himself in 1987, with a Lakers team that is considered one of the greatest teams of all-time. With future Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, plus important role players such as Michael Cooper, Byron Scott, A.C. Green, Mychal Thompson, and Kurt Rambis, the Lakers finished 65-17 in the regular season, third-best in team history. They met with similar success in the playoffs, dispatching the Celtics in six games to win Riley his third NBA title.

One of Riley's most famous moments came when he guaranteed the crowd a repeat championship during the Lakers' championship parade in downtown Los Angeles. While the 1988 Lakers did not produce as many wins in the regular season as the 1987 Lakers, they still managed to win an NBA title, becoming the first team in 20 years to repeat as champions. The Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons in seven games in the 1988 NBA Finals, making good on Riley's promise.

Although Riley would offer no further guarantees, his Lakers embarked upon a quest to obtain a third consecutive championship in 1989. Having successfully claimed a repeat championship the year before, the term coined for this new goal was a "three-peat" championship, and indeed Riley, through his corporate entity, Riles & Co., actually trademarked the phrase "three-peat"^[1] (which, coincidentally, he would later profit on via the Chicago Bulls accomplishing the feat twice, at the professional expense of Riley himself). But ultimately, the Lakers were swept by the Pistons in the 1989 NBA Finals.

Riley stepped down as coach of the Lakers after they lost to the Phoenix Suns in the 1990 NBA playoffs, amid rumors of player mistreatment and anger problems on his part. In spite of these rumors and his resignation, he was named NBA Coach of the Year for the first time.

New York Knicks

After stepping down as coach, Riley accepted a job as a television commentator for NBC. However, this job only lasted one year, as he became head coach of the New York Knicks in 1991. In 1993, he led the Knicks to the best regular season record in team history and received his second Coach of the Year award. Commentators especially admired Riley's ability to work with the physical, deliberate Knicks, considering that he was associated with the fast-paced Lakers in the 1980s. Riley returned to the NBA Finals in 1994, but his Knicks lost in seven games to the Houston Rockets after being up 3–2 in the series.

Miami Heat

In 1995, Riley resigned from the Knicks, and became head coach and general manager of the Miami Heat. The move caused some controversy, as the Heat were accused by the Knicks of tampering by pursuing Riley while he still had a year remaining on his contract with the Knicks^[2]. The matter was settled after the Heat sent their 1996 first round pick (which the Knicks would use to draft Walter McCarty) and $1 million in cash to the Knicks on September 1, 1995. Riley's coaching of the Heat to playoff contention would later make them bitter rivals with his former team.

In 1995-1996, Miami was swept in the first round by Phil Jackson-coached Chicago Bulls, who were led by a rejuvenated Michael Jordan. This season was most notable for the ongoing housecleaning that took place, with the arrival of building blocks Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. The offseason would also bring them Nets forward P.J. Brown and Suns swingman Dan Majerle.

In 1997, the Heat defeated his old team, the Knicks, in a physical seven game series. Advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in franchise history, they proved no match for Jordan and his Bulls. Riley was selected as Coach of the Year for the third time, after leading Miami to a 61–21 regular season record, 1st in the Atlantic division.

The Heat would compile consecutive seasons over 0.600. However, the 1998, 1999, and 2000 playoffs would be disappointments as they lost to the arch-rival Knicks; the first two in the opening round and the latter in the second round.

Riley then entered the 2000 season armed for bear. In a shuffling of the deck, Riley traded away Brown and Jamal Mashburn in exchange for Eddie Jones in one trade and acquired Brian Grant in another, although suffering a major setback after discovering Alonzo Mourning's kidney condition. After finishing a respectable 50-32 in 2001 in spite of the new nucleus and the loss of their star center, the Heat organized a housecleaning after the season, as the Heat lost two of their best players when guard Tim Hardaway was traded to the Dallas Mavericks and Anthony Mason signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. In part because of these departures, the Heat finished a disappointing 36-46 in 2002. Riley was so disgusted with the Heat's performance that he declared he was about to "fire himself."

Before the beginning of the 2003-2004 season, he did step down as Heat coach, to fully dedicate his attention to his duties as general manager. Longtime assistant Stan Van Gundy and rookie Dwyane Wade, whom Riley drafted 5th overall, led the Heat back into the playoffs with a 42–40 record after starting 0-7. Riley concentrated on improving the team even further before the 2004-2005 season. One of his biggest moves as full-time general manager was to trade Caron Butler, Brian Grant, Lamar Odom and a first-round draft pick to the Lakers for superstar Shaquille O'Neal. Head coach Van Gundy led the Heat to the Eastern Conference finals during the 2005 playoffs, although they lost to the Detroit Pistons after being up 3-2 in the series.

Riley resumed coaching the Heat on December 12, 2005, replacing Stan Van Gundy after the Heat started the season with a disappointing 11–10 record. Van Gundy had resigned in order to "spend more time with [his] family." Although Van Gundy maintained that his decision to resign was his own, there has been speculation that he was pushed out by Riley.^{[citation needed]}

The move came as a shock to the basketball community, with some speculating that with Shaquille O'Neal returning from injury, Dwyane Wade having his best season yet, and a high-caliber roster including Gary Payton, Jason Williams and Antoine Walker, Riley wanted to try to regain his former glory by coaching Miami to its first NBA Championship. Riley's Heat team defeated his Los Angeles Lakers-days nemesis, the Detroit Pistons, in the 2006 Eastern Conference playoffs on June 2, 2006, making it the first time the Miami Heat reached the NBA Finals.

Miami then defeated the Dallas Mavericks (4-2) after losing the first two games of the series to win their first NBA Championship in franchise history. He accepted the Larry O'Brien Trophy. He was so confident in his team, being up in the series 3-2 with the last two games in Dallas, that in a press conference prior to the game, he told reporters: "I packed one suit, one shirt and one tie. That's it!" During the deciding game, Riley wore his 1985 NBA championship ring, which the Lakers had clinched in game six at the Boston Garden without having to go to a game seven.^[3] He has said that he'd give up all of his rings if we could get one, and Riley's message was clear, and they did win.^[4]

The Heat held a huge parade on Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami on June 23 as envisioned by Pat Riley years ago. Riley, being in a celebratory mood, danced on stage when called upon by his players. Over 250,000 jubilant Miami Heat fans attended the parade.

Despite speculation of his possible retirement, on August 23, 2006 Riley announced that he would return as head coach of the Heat for at least one more season. His coaching record currently stands at 1,151–589. Riley maintains a very strict focus on basketball business during the season.

On January 3, 2007 Riley announced that he would take an indefinite leave of absence from coaching due to ongoing "hip and knee problems". Assistant coach Ron Rothstein had assumed interim duties until Riley's return on February 19, 2007.

Outside of basketball

Outside of basketball, Riley has developed into a pop-culture figure. This is born out of Riley's signature look, a slicked-back hairstyle, which is often described as gangster-looking and his immaculate tan. He came to the public eye leading the "Showtime" Lakers of the 1980s, furthering his image by "guaranteeing" a championship. It should also be noted that Riley has coached in three American cities well known for popular nightlife and celebrity culture. Riley is also known for his friendship with Giorgio Armani, preferring to wear Armani suits during basketball games, and even modeling once at an Armani show.

Riley is also a highly successful motivational speaker during the off-season. Riley earns in excess of $50,000 for each speaking engagement. Pat Riley's speaker profile

Riley and his wife Chris, have two children, James and Elisabeth Riley.

Riley is credited with coining the term three-peat. He has trademarked the term and any time a team does three-peat, he collects royalties if that team wishes to use the term on merchandise.

On February 27, 2007, the Miami Heat were honored for their 2005-2006 NBA Championship at the White House. During the ceremony, Riley presented George W. Bush with a jersey before announcing, "I voted for the man. If you don’t vote you don’t count." After the ceremony, Riley was questioned by reporters about the political nature of his comments. He responded by saying, "I’m pro-American, pro-democracy, I’m pro-government. I follow my boss. He’s my boss."^[5]

Trivia

• Riley is one of the only three head coaches, along with Phil Jackson and Alex Hannum to win the NBA Finals with two different teams.
• As reported by many players of the Miami Heat after they won the 2006 NBA Finals, Riley told the team on June 8th (the day of the first Finals game against the Dallas Mavericks) that they would win the championship on June 20th. This prediction ended coming true after the team took the series in 6 games on the 20th.
• Riley is the only coach to have twice taken over midway and subsequently lead the team to the championship that season.
• Riley is also known to golf on his free time.
• Of all NBA coaches, Riley has collected the third largest number of wins, behind Lenny Wilkens and Don Nelson.
• Riley is 6'5" tall (1.96m).
• In 1990, the Sega Genesis Game, Pat Riley Basketball, was released to the public. It starred Pat Riley with 5 Teams.

College basketball statistics as a player

University of Kentucky^[6]

Season	Games Played	Minutes	FG	FGA	%	FT	FTA	%	Total Rebs	Asst.	F	Total Points
1964-65	25	825	160	370	43.2	55	89	61.8	212	27	98	375
1965-66	29	1078	265	514	51.6	107	153	69.9	259	64	106	637
1966-67	26	953	165	373	44.2	122	156	78.2	201	68	90	452
Total	80	2856	590	1257	46.9	284	398	71.4	672	159	294	1464

NBA statistics as a player

Regular Season Stats^[6]

Year	Age	Team	G	Min	Pts	PPG	FGM	FGA	FGP	FTM	FTA	FTP	3PM	3PA	3PP	REB	RPG	AST	APG	STL	BLK	TO
1967-68	22	San Diego Rockets	80	1263	628	7.9	250	660	.379	128	202	.634	0	0	.000	177	2.2	138	1.7	0	0	0
1968-69	23	San Diego Rockets	56	1027	494	8.8	202	498	.406	90	134	.672	0	0	.000	112	2.0	136	2.4	0	0	0
1969-70	24	San Diego Rockets	36	474	190	5.3	75	180	.417	40	55	.727	0	0	.000	57	1.6	85	2.4	0	0	0
1970-71	25	Los Angeles Lakers	54	506	266	4.9	105	254	.413	56	87	.644	0	0	.000	54	1.0	72	1.3	0	0	0
1971-72	26	Los Angeles Lakers	67	926	449	6.7	197	441	.447	55	74	.743	0	0	.000	127	1.9	75	1.1	0	0	0
1972-73	27	Los Angeles Lakers	55	801	399	7.3	167	390	.428	65	82	.793	0	0	.000	65	1.2	81	1.5	0	0	0
1973-74	28	Los Angeles Lakers	72	1361	684	9.5	287	667	.430	110	144	.764	0	0	.000	128	1.8	148	2.1	54	3	0
1974-75	29	Los Angeles Lakers	46	1016	507	11.0	219	523	.419	69	93	.742	0	0	.000	85	1.8	121	2.6	36	4	0
1975-76	30	Phoenix Suns	62	813	289	4.7	117	301	.389	55	77	.714	0	0	.000	50	0.8	57	0.9	22	6	0
9 Season Totals			528	8187	3906	7.4	1619	3914	.414	668	948	.705	0	0	.000	855	1.6	913	1.7	112	13	0

Playoff Stats^[6]

Year	Team	G	Min	Pts	PPG	FGM	FGA	FGP	FTM	FTA	FTP	3PM	3PA	3PP	REB	RPG	AST	APG	STL	BLK	TO
1968-69	San Diego Rockets	5	76	37	7.4	16	37	.432	5	6	.833	0	0	.000	11	2.2	2	0.4	0	0	0
1970-71	Los Angeles Lakers	7	135	66	9.4	29	69	.420	8	11	.727	0	0	.000	15	2.1	14	2.0	0	0	0
1971-72	Los Angeles Lakers	15	244	78	5.2	33	99	.333	12	16	.750	0	0	.000	29	1.9	14	0.9	0	0	0
1972-73	Los Angeles Lakers	7	53	18	2.6	9	27	.333	0	0	.000	0	0	.000	5	0.7	7	1.0	0	0	0
1973-74	Los Angeles Lakers	5	106	39	7.8	18	50	.360	3	4	.750	0	0	.000	6	1.2	10	2.0	0	0	0
1975-76	Phoenix Suns	5	27	13	2.6	6	15	.400	1	1	1.000	0	0	.000	0	0.0	5	1.0	0	0	0
Totals		44	641	251	5.7	111	297	.374	29	38	.763	0	0	.000	66	1.5	52	1.2	0	0	0

References

Wikipedia information about Pat Riley This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Pat Riley". It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer). Help contribute to Americola and edit this article.