Pat Riley has always been among the NBA’s most polarizing names throughout his 50-plus years working around the league. The 79-year-old has won a championship as a player, coach, and executive, so there’s no doubt about his eye for basketball talent, but he hasn’t always been good at keeping the talent around.
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The cycle of Riley running out his superstars seems to be at its breaking point for Jimmy Butler, who has now been in Miami as many seasons as he spent in Chicago. Paul Pierce believes that Riley has a disconnect with his top players, unable to give them their flowers. “For me, I think it’s more about the respect factor… It ain’t even the money with Riley,” Pierce said on KG Certified, “If I’m Jimmy [Butler]… Why do I wanna be here when [Riley] don’t even respect me?”
The Celtics legend then segued into how the longtime executive has mismanaged other stars during his tenure in South Beach. Pierce first pointed to Dwyane Wade’s surprise exit from Miami after 12-straight All-Star appearances and three titles with the team. “How did [Wade] get to Chicago in the first place and have to come back [to Miami]? That should have never happened that was all [Pat] Riley, though,” Pierce continued.
If Riley was comfortable sending the Heat’s most beloved athlete to a rival Eastern Conference team, some of the other stunts he pulled must have been even easier for him in comparison. Riley’s issues with Butler, Wade, and Shaquille O’Neal are well-documented, but far from the only stars Riley has butt heads with.
Paul Pierce believes Pat Riley pushed LeBron James out of Miami
After discussing Wade, the 47-year-old shifted to what Riley did to LeBron James, who spent arguably his best years in South Beach. Pierce explained how Riley ran LeBron out of town because he refused to accommodate his superstar with small things, such as allowing his friends on the team plane.
Tony Allen thought that Jimmy could find more joy with more guaranteed money in his pocket, but Pierce underlined how no amount of money can bring back Butler’s basketball joy in Miami. The 10-time All-Star knows the only way out of this situation is for Butler to find a new home.
Rather than the 36-year-old ending his career in Miami, his tenure will be remembered by two unexpected NBA Finals runs that came up just short. Meanwhile, the Heat will likely have to accept pennies on the dollar for their once untouchable superstar as they attempt to transition out of this ugly saga.
