Heat president Pat Riley said Monday he has decided to coach the team for three more seasons, and insisted he's ''not done'' re-shaping the team's roster this off-season.

 

''This is what I love doing,'' he said, adding it was a difficult decision to continue coaching and one that ``I put a lot of thought into.''

 

He said he spoke with owner Micky Arison and decided, ``I don't want to be a one-and-done guy every year. I have three years left on my contract, and I will try to coach those out unless someone else makes a decision on me. That's a commitment I want to make to the organization.

 

``After the two rebuilding years, I was absolutely burnt [out]. Three or four years ago, I was looking to get out of it totally. I don't feel that way anymore. [During the years of losing], I wanted to go to Mount Everest. That has changed.''

 

Riley, 62, who said he has no health problems, said it's purely coincidental that Shaquille O'Neal's contract also runs three more years and that Dwyane Wade can opt out of his contract at that point, too.

 

In other issues, Riley said the starting point guard job is wide open, said he would be ''happy'' to open the season with Antoine Walker at small forward if a trade doesn't net a starter there, and said ''we're right up with the rest'' of the Eastern Conference despite several other teams making big-name acquisitions this off-season:

 

? Midway through a quiet off-season (Smush Parker and Penny Hardaway have been the top acquisitions), Riley said he continues to pursue trades.

 

''We have $14-$20 million in one year contracts if we added them all up to do something,'' he said. (That would include Jason Williams at $8.9 million and Michael Doleac at $3.13 million, plus several other smaller contracts.)

 

''We're not done. It's only Aug. 13,'' he said. ``There are a lot of discussions going on and it's not just about free agents. We're not finished by any stretch of the imagination . . .

 

``I understand the prognosticators who say we are taking a step back when everyone else is taking a step forward. We feel like we're right in the game and looking real hard at doing some things to help this team. . . . We're still a very good team.''

 

? Asked if Williams enters camp as the starting point guard, Riley said the position ''is wide open,'' with Smush Parker being given a chance to unseat him.

 

Williams has missed 44 games over the past two seasons. ''We need a guy that's out there 70 games a year,'' Riley said. ``Jason has worked extremely hard. We send a therapist to see him [in Orlando] every two weeks. We need stability night in and night out.

 

``A lot will be based on who's healthy. If Jason is healthy enough to compete every day in practice and... game, it will be a great battle... I like the addition of Smush Parker. He can make the three. He has size.''

 

? Riley said he would be comfortable starting Walker on opening night, pointing out he was the Heat's starting small forward during its championship run, but said Walker must play better than he did last season. But he continues exploring trade options at small forward beyond Walker and Dorell Wright, though he did say Wright has grown to 6-10 ? and might be ready for a ``break-out year.''

 

He said the team ''likes'' restricted free agent Mickael Pietrus ''because of his defensive abilities. The only way it's going to happen is with a sign-and-trade. We've talked a lot about the possibilities with him.'' But discussions between the Heat and Golden State haven't produced a deal, and Pietrus is exploring another undisclosed option, his agent said.

 

? Riley didn't sound optimistic about re-signing James Posey: ''We're in conversations with him, but the reality is the reality. . . . We don't want to be a tax team.'' (The Heat is about $1 million above the $68 million tax threshold.)

 

? Riley said he didn't save the Heat's entire $5.3 million mid-level exception for a small forward, such as Pietrus, because point guard ''was a greater need for us.'' Parker got $2.2 million of the Heat's mid-level exception.

 

? Though Boston (Kevin Garnett), New York (Zach Randolph) and Orlando (Rashard Lewis) made major acquisitions, Riley pointed out the teams also lost players this summer, including Orlando (Grant Hill and Darko Milicic).

 

Riley said he doesn't think last year's top teams in the East -- Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland -- have improved. ''They got a year older,'' he said. ``Our best player was 50 percent at the end of the year. We weren't a very good team last year. It doesn't mean we can't be what we were the year [before]. Don't let last year's exit change your thinking.''

 

Of the Heat's relatively quiet off-season, Riley said, ''It's not for lack of trying'' and also said the team probably waited too long for a response from point guard Mo Williams, who re-signed with Milwaukee.

 

? Riley said he extended to Eddie Jones the same $1.8 million offer that Jones accepted from Dallas. ''I told Eddie I wanted him back at our exit meeting,'' Riley said. ``For some reason, he moved on.''

 

? Of Hardaway's signing, Riley said, Penny will bring us what Eddie [did]. He's in great shape, he's a playmaker, he's a veteran. He can really help a team. He's been great with [rookies] Jeremy Richardson and Daequan Cook.''

 

? The Heat already has lost one of its top perimeter defenders (Jones) and seems likely to lose the other (Posey). ''But we have guys than can guard,'' Riley maintained.

 

? Riley declined to make a definitive statement about Gary Payton, who is not expected back. Riley said he has left two phone messages with Payton and wants to speak with him first.

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/breaking_sports/story/201870.html

Uck

Hellz yeah!

Alright! I hope Anthony Mason and Dennis Rodman start training soon.

Alright! I hope Anthony Mason and Dennis Rodman start training soon.

 

These old player jokes died about a week ago....

I smell a two year hiatus similar to the one he took this past mid-season. Should be interesting how he handles it.

Coaching 3 more years? 3 more years left on Shaq's (and Wade's) deal? What a coincidence....

Alright! I hope Anthony Mason and Dennis Rodman start training soon.

 

These old player jokes died about a week ago....

As well as my belief that we can win another championship if Riley keeps making moves that make zero sense. Listen, I love Riles and what he's done for our organization, but I honestly think its time for both the Heat and Riles to go their seperate ways.

Alright! I hope Anthony Mason and Dennis Rodman start training soon.

 

These old player jokes died about a week ago....

As well as my belief that we can win another championship if Riley keeps making moves that make zero sense. Listen, I love Riles and what he's done for our organization, but I honestly think its time for both the Heat and Riles to go their seperate ways.

 

And who are you gonna get to coach them? Eric Spoelstra? :thumbdown

Alright! I hope Anthony Mason and Dennis Rodman start training soon.

 

These old player jokes died about a week ago....

As well as my belief that we can win another championship if Riley keeps making moves that make zero sense. Listen, I love Riles and what he's done for our organization, but I honestly think its time for both the Heat and Riles to go their seperate ways.

 

 

Who's going to do better? Edit your post at once.

Good news.

Alright! I hope Anthony Mason and Dennis Rodman start training soon.

 

These old player jokes died about a week ago....

As well as my belief that we can win another championship if Riley keeps making moves that make zero sense. Listen, I love Riles and what he's done for our organization, but I honestly think its time for both the Heat and Riles to go their seperate ways.

 

That is ridiculous. What is this based on? That they didn't win another championship last year? A slow offseason? Please. All the man has done is make the team relevent, help get an arena built, reshape the roster on 4 separate occasions, all the while enduring only 2 losing seasons in a dozen years, winning multiple division titles, 3 trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, and, oh yeah, win an NBA title 14 months ago. Not to mention making some of the biggest trades in the history of South Florida sports bringing in Zo, Tim Hardaway, and Shaq. Not to mention drafting D-Wade. Maybe you are right...this last year sucked...get him out of here!

 

Not every move has been perfect, but nobody is.

 

If you are going to make a statment like that at least offer up who you think is better served to run the Heat. I can't think of anyone.

This is the best news we've had all offseason. It delays the inevitable takeover of Ron Rothstein. I hate the way that guy coaches.

 

By the way BobbyBowden, you got absolutely SERVED.

I wonder if Riley was watching the same offseason as we did. He said that all the top Eastern teams got a year older and not any better. Thats fair to say for the pistons but the Bulls however are a much better team this year and the Cavs will go wherever Lebron can take them. How about his comment about the Celtics Knicks and Magic. I'll give up Darko for Rashad lewis any day of the week. The Celtics didn't lose anyone compared to what they got, they lost out on Jeff Green and Al jefferson. Thats a lot to lose but when your bringing in Ray Allen and KG you have to pay price to bring in star players. Enjoy a number 8 seed this year pal and lets see if your still up for two more years.

I wonder if Riley was watching the same offseason as we did.

 

First off, the offseason isn't over. There is still plenty of time to make moves. Riley didn't sound as if he was done.

 

He said that all the top Eastern teams got a year older and not any better. Thats fair to say for the pistons but the Bulls however are a much better team this year and the Cavs will go wherever Lebron can take them.

 

How are the Bulls "much better"? Because they signed Joe Smith? They are still very good, but have the same flaws as they did last year.

 

As for as the Cavs and Lebron...You can say the same thing about Heat and Wade...and Wade has a better supporting cast.

 

How about his comment about the Celtics Knicks and Magic. I'll give up Darko for Rashad lewis any day of the week. The Celtics didn't lose anyone compared to what they got, they lost out on Jeff Green and Al jefferson. Thats a lot to lose but when your bringing in Ray Allen and KG you have to pay price to bring in star players. Enjoy a number 8 seed this year pal and lets see if your still up for two more years.

 

Celtics certainly got better, although they have zero depth(Eddie House and Scott Pollard??). 1 injury to their big 3 and they are in trouble. People whine about the Heat lacking youth. Their big 3 are all over 30, and Peirce and Allen both are coming off injuries. Will they be good, certainly, but i'm not giving them the top seed in the East just yet.

 

The Knicks do nothing for me. No team with Marbury is winning anything. Randolph is a great talent, crazy, but talented. He and Curry together? Not sure how that will work. They will be better. Not sure if they are a playoff team though.

 

The Magic got Lewis. He is a good scorer, but not much else. Is he worth giving up Darko? For now, maybe, but I wouldn't be shocked if the regret that fairly soon...and that is not even taking into account that monster contract. They also lost Grant Hill who was very good for them last year.

 

I'm not saying that what the Heat has done so far this off season is enough to get them back to the Finals, but some of these predictions are ridiculous. The 8th seed or missing the playoffs? Any team with Shaq and Wade, especially in the East, is making the playoffs...probably getting a top 4 seed. The only way they fall that far is if Wade and/or Shaq miss a lot of time. Is that possible, sure, but I find it hard to believe that they could have as bad of luck injury-wise as they did last year.

I was joking about the heat being an 8th seed but I think it's insane to think they are automatic bids in the ECF if they have just shaq and wade. My beef was with what Riley said about the east. The bulls got a lot better, they added another year of experience to a young team and now have the emergence of Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah to the defense. I think you will be seeing a different tune about the magic. Howard hasn't had a guy that can bring the ball to the hole likewise Lewis has never had a dominant big man. The top teams in the east got better while the heat did nothing I guess you can make Wade shoulder the load but the heat needed to find someone who is going to step up and replace posey. They didn't do that and are just praying Wade stays healthy.

I was joking about the heat being an 8th seed but I think it's insane to think they are automatic bids in the ECF if they have just shaq and wade. My beef was with what Riley said about the east. The bulls got a lot better, they added another year of experience to a young team and now have the emergence of Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah to the defense. I think you will be seeing a different tune about the magic. Howard hasn't had a guy that can bring the ball to the hole likewise Lewis has never had a dominant big man. The top teams in the east got better while the heat did nothing I guess you can make Wade shoulder the load but the heat needed to find someone who is going to step up and replace posey. They didn't do that and are just praying Wade stays healthy.

 

I didn't say they were automatically in the ECF with just Shaq and Wade, just that if the two of them are healthy, they finish much higher than an 8th seed. And just because they haven't found someone to replace Posey and help Wade yet doesn't mean that they won't. The offseason doesn't end on August 13th. A lot can happen between now and November. Riley certainly didn't sound like he was finished with this roster from his comments today.

Before winning the championship what did Riley have to show for his 10 years in Miami? And I'm talking strictly basketball, nothing about the arena or fans.

Before winning the championship what did Riley have to show for his 10 years in Miami? And I'm talking strictly basketball, nothing about the arena or fans.

 

Led the team to four straight division titles, an appearance in the eastern conf. finals, brought in players like shaq, d-wade, zo, etc.

LMAO BobbyBowden got served again. Why are you hating on Riles so damn much? We could be like the T-Wolves right now if it wasn't for him.

Before winning the championship what did Riley have to show for his 10 years in Miami? And I'm talking strictly basketball, nothing about the arena or fans.

 

Led the team to four straight division titles, an appearance in the eastern conf. finals, brought in players like shaq, d-wade, zo, etc.

 

That is actually 2 Eastern Conference Finals appearences. So that is 3 trips to the ECF's in 12 years with the Heat, winning 1 Title. Plus, the Heat has made the playoffs 10 times in 12 seasons. Prior to Riley the team had made the playoffs 2 times in it's first 7 years of existence. But I guess we should have stuck with Alvin Gentry...

Before winning the championship what did Riley have to show for his 10 years in Miami? And I'm talking strictly basketball, nothing about the arena or fans.

 

Led the team to four straight division titles, an appearance in the eastern conf. finals, brought in players like shaq, d-wade, zo, etc.

 

That is actually 2 Eastern Conference Finals appearences. So that is 3 trips to the ECF's in 12 years with the Heat, winning 1 Title. Plus, the Heat has made the playoffs 10 times in 12 seasons. Prior to Riley the team had made the playoffs 2 times in it's first 7 years of existence. But I guess we should have stuck with Alvin Gentry...

 

He was talking about before the heat won the championship so it's only one ECF appearance (1997)

Before winning the championship what did Riley have to show for his 10 years in Miami? And I'm talking strictly basketball, nothing about the arena or fans.

 

Led the team to four straight division titles, an appearance in the eastern conf. finals, brought in players like shaq, d-wade, zo, etc.

 

That is actually 2 Eastern Conference Finals appearences. So that is 3 trips to the ECF's in 12 years with the Heat, winning 1 Title. Plus, the Heat has made the playoffs 10 times in 12 seasons. Prior to Riley the team had made the playoffs 2 times in it's first 7 years of existence. But I guess we should have stuck with Alvin Gentry...

 

He was talking about before the heat won the championship so it's only one ECF appearance (1997)

 

You are forgetting about 04-05 when the Heat were 2 minutes from the Finals.

Before winning the championship what did Riley have to show for his 10 years in Miami? And I'm talking strictly basketball, nothing about the arena or fans.

 

Led the team to four straight division titles, an appearance in the eastern conf. finals, brought in players like shaq, d-wade, zo, etc.

 

That is actually 2 Eastern Conference Finals appearences. So that is 3 trips to the ECF's in 12 years with the Heat, winning 1 Title. Plus, the Heat has made the playoffs 10 times in 12 seasons. Prior to Riley the team had made the playoffs 2 times in it's first 7 years of existence. But I guess we should have stuck with Alvin Gentry...

 

He was talking about before the heat won the championship so it's only one ECF appearance (1997)

 

You are forgetting about 04-05 when the Heat were 2 minutes from the Finals.

 

Van Gundy was head coach during that time.

Before winning the championship what did Riley have to show for his 10 years in Miami? And I'm talking strictly basketball, nothing about the arena or fans.

 

Led the team to four straight division titles, an appearance in the eastern conf. finals, brought in players like shaq, d-wade, zo, etc.

 

That is actually 2 Eastern Conference Finals appearences. So that is 3 trips to the ECF's in 12 years with the Heat, winning 1 Title. Plus, the Heat has made the playoffs 10 times in 12 seasons. Prior to Riley the team had made the playoffs 2 times in it's first 7 years of existence. But I guess we should have stuck with Alvin Gentry...

 

He was talking about before the heat won the championship so it's only one ECF appearance (1997)

 

You are forgetting about 04-05 when the Heat were 2 minutes from the Finals.

 

 

Van Gundy was head coach during that time.

 

I see what you are saying. I've been talking about Riley's tenure with the team, not just his coaching record, though.