Friday is one of the most important days in the long, storied, Hall-of-Fame career of Pat Riley (not pictured).
He will be in Ohio pitching to LeBron James.
For all the praise that's been heaped Riley's way as master-motivator and great public speaker, this will be the most important sell-job of his life.
While he'll be joined by Micky Arison, Zo, and a host of Heat brass.
Make no mistake.
This is Pat and LeBron, one-on-one.
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The cards are stacked in Riley's favor for many reasons.
The biggest is money.
The Heat have more cap-room than ANY TEAM around.
Now, because of the Larry Bird Rule (which basically encourages players to stay with their own teams), Cleveland can pay LeBron more.
BUT...
Miami can afford Wade, LeBron, and either Bosh, Booozer, A'Mare.
Whichever of the three bigs Miami comes up with, that team is winning the Eastern Conference.
Oh heck, I won't limit my expectations... That team is winning multiple titles.
That team is challenging the Bulls' wins record and might even go after the '72 Dolphins (no pressure)
Riley can sell winning on a level that Cleveland, New York, New Jersey, and the Clippers cannot.
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There's a loyalty factor.
LeBron is from Ohio.
He's hosting his meetings in Akron.
He's trying to show he's all business.
He and Warren Buffet even claim to be tight (I don't foresee the two partying together much, but what do I know?).
So Riley needs to break through that.
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The easiest way to do it is the following:
Keep it in basketball terms.
Show LeBron that his BEST chance of winning big is here in Miami.
Because honestly, I think it is.
LeBron, Wade, and one of those bigs is a better nucleus than Rose, LeBron, and Joakim Noah.
It's certainly better than anything New York or New Jersey can bring to the table.
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What makes this week so fascinating is it's a chance for LeBron James to define himself as a human being.
I'm not overstating that.
What does he value?
Money?
Loyalty?
The spotlight?
Winning?
Everyone is talking about this Batman and Robin analogy.
And that's fine.
Is LeBron defined by his ego?
The true greats, like to be surrounded by greatness.
They aren't threatened by it.
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Truth is, I don't know what's in LeBron James' heart.
I just know that Riley better put in the extra hair product on Friday and be his showtime self.
The future of the Heat franchise depends on it.
One final tip, don't tell LeBron you'll surround with great talent such as Delonte West, it's still too soon.
I can't help noticing you left Chicago off the list. Maybe that's because you know in your heart of hearts that Lebron can win there, stay close to home, and not try to share the ball with Wade (because seriously, you think that would work?).
ReplyDeleteI mentioned Chicago. I compared the nucleus they had to offer to Miami's.
ReplyDeleteI think Miami's is better.
Do I think Wade and LeBron would work? Of course! These are 2 of the best 3 basketball players on planet earth.
There are only 5 people on the court at a time.
It would be unreal.
In Chicago, LeBron would have to share the ball with the ghost of Jordan, far more daunting.