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Pat Riley is a greater basketball mind than Gregg Popovich and Phil Jackson
Posted on 5/22/23 at 6:55 am
Posted on 5/22/23 at 6:55 am
Assuming the Heat closes out the Celtics, Riley will make his 16th NBA Finals appearances as a head coach or executive over a 42 year span (1981-2023). He's made NBA Finals in six consecutive decades as a head coach or executive.
Phil Jackson struggled as an executive with the Knicks without Jordan, Shaq, or Kobe. Gregg Popovich hasn't made it back to the NBA Finals without Tim Duncan and if he does make it back one day, it'll be on the back of being gifted another generational superstar in Victor Wembanyama. Pat Riley made two NBA Finals appearances after losing LeBron James. He took over a NBA franchise that had been in existence for seven years and had only two NBA playoff appearances to their name and turned them into a powerhouse. Pat Riley is the GOAT basketball mind.
Phil Jackson struggled as an executive with the Knicks without Jordan, Shaq, or Kobe. Gregg Popovich hasn't made it back to the NBA Finals without Tim Duncan and if he does make it back one day, it'll be on the back of being gifted another generational superstar in Victor Wembanyama. Pat Riley made two NBA Finals appearances after losing LeBron James. He took over a NBA franchise that had been in existence for seven years and had only two NBA playoff appearances to their name and turned them into a powerhouse. Pat Riley is the GOAT basketball mind.
17
Posted on 5/22/23 at 7:24 am to Bench McElroy
Dude really is great.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 7:33 am to Bench McElroy
We counting the bubble playoffs now 
In all seriousness though, yeah he’s been the best
In all seriousness though, yeah he’s been the best
Posted on 5/22/23 at 7:37 am to Bench McElroy
quote:
Pat Riley is the GOAT basketball mind.
He is better than the two you mentioned but Jerry West might be the GOAT in the front office. 8 rings while in executive positions.
This post was edited on 5/22/23 at 7:41 am
Posted on 5/22/23 at 7:58 am to TxWadingFool
quote:
Jerry West
Add on with different organizations too.
Sad kawhi and pg didn't work out
Posted on 5/22/23 at 8:04 am to htran90
he does a good job of finding those supporting cast players
always has
it wasn't the laker stars that made them so successful, it was the unheralded guys that were the glue to those teams
same thing with knicks
always has
it wasn't the laker stars that made them so successful, it was the unheralded guys that were the glue to those teams
same thing with knicks
Posted on 5/22/23 at 8:23 am to nicholastiger
I recommend everyone reading Blood in the Garden. Great recap of Riley’s NY years.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 8:48 am to 21JumpStreet
Please don’t embarrass yourself like that
Posted on 5/22/23 at 8:51 am to Bench McElroy
That has always been true.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 8:55 am to Bench McElroy
I saw a tweet that said as a player, coach, or executive hes made almost 25% of all NBA finals
Posted on 5/22/23 at 9:06 am to Bench McElroy
Posted on 5/22/23 at 9:42 am to Bench McElroy
On top of everything in the OP, he won a title as a player. Also was 1st team AA and SEC player of the year at UK. Even played in that title game vs. Texas Western. Dude has been in the mix at the highest level for almost 60 years.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 9:43 am to TrussvilleTide
quote:
saw a tweet that said as a player, coach, or executive hes made almost 25% of all NBA finals ?
played 13 seasons lakers.
6 3 sf. got rings. was in the rotation. 8th or so. jumpers from the side.
I saw him in person at Kentucky.
nice team. no center.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 10:12 am to Bench McElroy
I grew up a Celtics fan in New England in the 60's, moved to Miami in 1968 and I was still a Celtics fan in 1995. Also being an LSU alum, I also hated Riley because because he was a Kentucky guy in addition to hating him as coach of the Lakers and Knicks as Celitc fandom requires.
Everybody associates Riley with the Showtime Lakers but he took over a 32-win Heat team and won 61 games in year 2 on a roster and culture based on tencaious defense. It was fun to watch and I've been a fan ever since.
Everybody associates Riley with the Showtime Lakers but he took over a 32-win Heat team and won 61 games in year 2 on a roster and culture based on tencaious defense. It was fun to watch and I've been a fan ever since.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 10:19 am to Bench McElroy
Posted on 5/22/23 at 10:32 am to Bench McElroy
Building this Miami team to make two Finals without a LeBron/Shaq/Magic/Ewing-level superstar at a time when the East is fairly strong is the most impressive thing he's ever done IMO.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 10:38 am to Bench McElroy
Maybe his best move was selecting Eric Spoelstra as his successor to coach the Heat, and then sticking with him during some tough times and heavy criticism early in his tenure.
Posted on 5/22/23 at 11:11 am to Bench McElroy
Recency bias is so awesome.
Pat Riley has been great for a long long time. 1 more current deep run does not push him over the top
Pat Riley has been great for a long long time. 1 more current deep run does not push him over the top
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