Will Riley give it a go one more time?

The coach has got 5 championship rings to his credit. He apparently
stepped in reluctantly to replace Stan Van Gundy at the start of the
season, returning to the beach as abruptly as he left it. I can't
imagine the Heat winning the championship with Van Gundy, with Riley,
yes, not Stan.

He also postponed hip replacement surgery for the year to coach - he
goes through that in the off-season, so he has been in constant pain
throughout most of the season on the bench.

Lots of competitive fires and coaching ability, who else could have put
that club of misfits on other teams together, and won a championship?

And, although I am sure he spotted the potential, doubt if even Pat
Riley thought Dwayne Wade would turn out as sensational as he has.

Shaq is going on 35 with 14 seasons. All he really wants to be
remembered for before he retires is championships - he negotiated his
contract to make sure the Heat had money available for Riley and Pfund
to deal last year.

I suspect Shaq would like a repeat to make it five, knowing he has Wade
there. Heat need another solid point guard, have no pick in the upcoming
draft, so Pat Riley will have to pull something from the hat, another
rabbit perhaps.

Posey looks to stay, so does Walker. Payton and Alonzo probably gone.
Williams is signed, and I doubt if the Heat pick up Kapono's contract.
We still have the rookies who didn't play for trade bait.

Heat won, without Shaq being dominating in the series, although Dallas
and Detroit had to maul him to open up lanes for Wade. I can see Riley
returning as a favor to Shaq, in an effort to get championship number 5
for the big guy.

Be OK if Pat Riley wants to step out now on the top of the game, he is
going into the Hall Of Fame as soon as he is eligible, but the big
question is whether his competitive fires are quenched with this title,
or he wants to add an exclamation point to it?

Hard to predict, whatever the choices are, the Miami Heat will be better
for it if Pat Riley is making the decisions........Stan