Pat Riley suffered “King” James Leaving
Sadness was still in the soul of Pat Riley, after three championships considered as the best of NBA, his shining star Lebron James, returned to his hometown to play with the local team. Several years at the Miami Heat made him the “spoiled child” of Florida. For Riley James’ departure in addition to representing the end of an era, also meant the end of a fantastic trident that took him to the coronation on multiple occasions and the closing of what looked like a cycle of six or seven seasons as absolute kings of professional basketball in the United State.
Pat, the president of the Heat franchise, never dared to talk about the matter but has recently declared in a book that will come on April 17 the suffering that prowled after King James left. The Soul of Basketball: The Epic Showdown between LeBron, Kobe, Doc and Dirk that saved the NBA, in addition to the departure of James reveals details about his relationship with LeBron, as well as memories of the first days of the union of the Cleveland start with Wade and Bosh in Miami.
According to the president of the Heats his discomfort last a while. It was logical that his dreams of matching the Bulls or the Celtics faded with the decision of a single player. However, over the years he recognizes that Lebron did the right thing. According to Riley, he was very angry about James' decision at that time.
About the King James weighed that, despite being the sun of NBA and the flame of the Heats, LeBron was not accepted in his hometown. The prophet was far from his land, the conqueror achieved success for others except for the people of his hometown. James' family made him see that even if he won everything in the NBA he would always have the scarlet letter on his back, nobody in Cleveland would recognize him ... or accept.
When Lebron James left the Miami Heat, the Florida team was known to be the "Big 3"; to the today major knight of Cleveland joined others like Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. It concluded a period in which James won two NBA championships and four consecutive seasons of moving to the NBA Finals.
Lebron James returned to his city and with him, the victory for his new team. The talisman has managed to take three times consecutive his team to the final. Now 33 years old, he is at the highest point of his sports career. He is the league’s leader in minutes per game (37.2) while averaging 27.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game, the best of his career.
However, Pat still hopes to have the great James in his team. Since the announcement that the player will move to free agency was made, the Miami Heat sharpens its teeth to bid for the great player. Yet, the offers will be strong because in addition to Pat the Lakers dream as well of having James with them. The Lakers is one of the great franchises that has had a long drought period and, if we look at it from a panoramic view, it has started since James played for the Heats. On the other hand, the Philadelphia 76ers and Knicks of New York also dispute for having him.
So far, we will have to wait until the end of the season, a contest in which the great James has proved to be the undisputed leader of Cleveland. Pat must be proud to have polished the talisman that is now the great King James