The Return of Riley was Inevitable

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about Riley returning being pretty much a done deal. At least, I started to. But for some reason, my computer coughed and hacked and erased my article.

So much for speculation - because it was pointless to speculate on something that was pretty much a known factor. Of course Pat Riley was going to return to the Miami Heat's coaching helm. It was just too hard to resist.

There was no way that Riley was going to be able to walk away. Sure, he just won a championship, but he is a lifer in this coaching gig. Jerry West, his former boss and mentor, called him as much. Besides, you don't think gambling with his roster only to win a championship would be enough vindication for this man? No, he is bent on perfection and last year's team - as good as it was - is far from perfect. There is much room for growth.

That may seem like firebreathing rhetoric or just chest thumping to outsiders, but a team armed with Shaq and Dwyane Wade is only beginning to scratch the surface with simply one championship.

And Riley knows this all too well.

So, Riley's return is a pretty good indication for a windfall of sorts for this franchise. It is definetly the golden days for this once snake-bitten franchise.

Besides, last season it is well-known that Riley was only able to institute part of the playbook - about 25% by some estimates. Considering that the Heat were able to gel enough to win a championship with that little sophistication is only a testament to the talent of this team. With more experience and the unquestioned authority of Pat Riley's system in place, this team is only going to get better. Scary better.

Riley knows this. He couldn't walk away from completing what could be by the end an unfathomable masterpiece.

Heat Update: August

There is a heatwave sweeping over the country - from the West coast to the East coast. It has nothing to do with the Miami Heat, but it might as well. Ever since the Heat have taken the trophy back from the Mavericks, prying it from their overly confident hands, the team has undergone a major PR explosion - most notably for Shaq, Wade and Riley.

Shaq has actually remained somewhat quiet, considering he has pulled off probably the greatest sports promise since Broadway Joe or even the mythological Babe Ruth who pointed to center field before hitting one out of the park. A couple of late-night talk show appearances and poof, Shaq is gone from the spotlight.

Same goes for Pat Riley who joins Shaq as fulfilled in the championship dream/prophecy category. He, too, made a late-night appearance, with Jay Leno, and then went on safari in Africa - probably to escape the media and get some R&R in peace. His impending coaching decision - will it be the coach who decides or the team president? - is upcoming in mid-August but stop the presses: it has already been made. Indications are that Riley has already made his decision and is just waiting to put the final touches on the details. It is pretty certain he will be back - otherwise, why wait so long to find a coach when training camp will be starting up very soon. There isn't an assistant he would turn the team over - unless Stan Van Gundy is making some kind of improbable comeback. Mike Fratello has been mentioned as a possibility, but that is also unlikely since he is very much entrenched in Memphis for the time being. The life of Riley will continue...

And then there is Dwyane Wade. Now, finally and officially, vaulted to the level of superstar, all he is doing is playing a little summer ball on the international level with team USA as they take on the world at the FIBA World Championships in Japan this summer. The buzz is already surrounding the young American team that has a ridiculous amount of athletic talent and is lined with basketball greatness. Wade is not only expected to be one of the leaders of that team - along with LeBron James and a re-emerging Carmelo Anthony - but is the promotional leader for Gatorade's Asia campaign. The Finals MVP is now becoming a recognized icon on other continents as he promotes Gatorade and Converse along the way.

But what about the team? Well, everyone is doing their offseason thing but most importantly Jason Williams is undergoing his crucial knee surgery to alleviate his knee tendonitis. And the rumors swirl about the Heat signing a backup PG - the likes of an Eddie House return increase. Riley has had interest in getting House back for a couple of seasons now and House also has the same agent as James Posey and Antoine Walker. The Heat's signing of Robert Hite (UM), Chris Quinn (Notre Dame), Mike Gansey (WVU) and Daniel Horton (Michigan) has only solidified the youth pool from which the competition will come from. None have really stood out in any way, but it is enough to make Gary Payton very nervous since he wants to come back but it is looking more and more like the Heat are going to opt for youth this season.

Which brings us to Dorrell Wright and Earl Barron. Both have wowed coaches, peers and fans in the Orlando Pepsi Summer Pro League this past month. Both players were named to the tourny's all-tournament team, provoking what possibilities they will have in the near future - and all indications seem that there will be a mini-youth movement within the Heat. The timing couldn;t be more perfect - if this team is going to grow into a dynasty, it has to expand the window by expanding the talent pool. And having a core of talented young players like Wade and Udonis Haslem already established to go along with the talents of Wayne Simien, Wright and Barron could prove up to the task of such a vision. Yet, they need to play now and get into the rotation of this team. Indications are Riley realizes that and is willing to go that route insofar as it does an apt job of supporting Shaq.

Other than that, not much else to report at the moment...enjoy the Heatwave...