The Heat players should be embarrassed. They should be tied up with a giant leash and paraded around town to set an example for the youth of America. They should be set on scaffolds in the town square and receive public floggings.
You know, it's ironic. Riles's best team was one that defined "showtime." Whether it was Worthy finishing with a dunk after a no-look pass from Magic, or Michael Cooper slashing to the rim (at least in his early days) for a layup, the 80's Lakers were the epitome of exciting basketball.
Then Riles got to New York and slowly turned into the beastmaster. The Knicks traded away their most versatile players (Johnny Newman, Gerald Wilkins, Kenny Walker,...) and Riles's love of mammoth big men grew. He soon had Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley, and Ewing playing significant minutes in the middle, often at the same time. (Contrast this to the graceful 7'4" swan with the legendary skyhook that played center for the Lakers in the 80's) This situation had many humorous consequences such as having the huge Anthony "Peanut Butter" Mason lead fast breaks and the sturdy Oak tree having to develop a consistent 18 foot jumper. But the Knicks' downfall was clear : too much meat in the middle and not enough versatility. Nobody could create their own shot. There were no slashers, no swingmen, no tweeners.
So he gets to Miami and gets to make his own personnel decisions and guess what happens? He's got Zo, Peanut Butter, and Brian Grant clogging up the middle like nobody's business. Stocky Tim Hardaway hasn't been the same player since the injury. He's lost his killer crossover and his shot is now ugly but ugly. All he does now is take wild outside shots. Riles traded away possibly the most versatile player from last year's team, Mashburn, and it came back to bite him in the ass.
IMO, the problem with Riles is clear. His teams eventually devolve into stagnancy. Nobody can play facing the basket, nobody can breakdown the defense and create his own shot. He falls in love with workaholic widebody role players like Brian Grant at the expense of dynamic talent like Mashburn.
I think that this Heat team is at the end of their line. Probably Riles too. |
