During his Friday end-of-season press conference, Miami Heat president Pat Riley covered every possible aspect of the team’s lackluster season.
The Heat advanced to the playoffs as the No. 10 seed after battling their way through the NBA Play-In Tournament, but were quickly swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, Riley’s early exit was well down the list of questions people wanted to ask him about. Much of the talk focused on the Jimmy Butler saga, which effectively saw him demand a trade to the Golden State Warriors, as well as what came next for the franchise following the most lopsided playoff series in NBA history.
“I believe we do need to make changes,” Riley remarked. “There is no doubt. There must be some change.
While such modifications have still to be finalized, Riley, 80, has clarified that one change would not be made: his involvement with the team.
“I just turned 80, and I’m proud of it and 80 is the new 60,” says Riley. “That’s how I see things. I feel fantastic. “I am extremely competitive.”
Riley also stated that he has the support of owner Micky Arison and CEO Nick Arison as they navigate the rebuilding period.
“[Heat owner Micky Arison] and [Heat chief executive officer Nick Arison] and I met, they’ve been very good to me,” according to Riley. “They said, ‘Carry on, Pat.’ I’m going to continue and try to improve this situation.”
The Heat, who have the 20th overall pick as a result of the Butler trade, are unlikely to find an answer in the draft. They did lose their pick this year to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who made the playoffs. If they hadn’t made the playoffs, the Thunder would have received next year’s pick instead.
However, the move that everyone in the NBA is looking out for revolves around Kevin Durant, as many sources have linked the two parties. Only time will tell what happens, but this is a critical offseason for the Heat’s immediate future.
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