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Rich Paul lays Heat’s Pat Riley love on thick amid LeBron James free agency sweepstakes appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ahead of free agent LeBron James’ announcement, his agent, Rich Paul, revealed the utmost respect for Miami Heat president Pat Riley for winning for many decades while wearing different hats as a head coach and team president. While their partnership may have soured following LeBron’s signing with the Cleveland Cavs in 2014, Riley and James’ relationship has improved since then.
Riley, who guided the Los Angeles Lakers to four championships in nine years as head coach, led the Heat to their first title in 2006. Then, as Heat president, he constructed Miami’s Big 3 with James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Now, after trading with the Milwaukee Bucks for All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, he could be reuniting LeBron with Miami for a second stint.
Paul’s recent admiration for Riley has fans thinking it’s a sign that James is close to announcing his return to the Heat. Paul discussed Riley’s impact, per the Game Over podcast.
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“I have a profound respect for Pat Riley. The guy has been in the basketball ecosystem more than double my age. There’s so much wisdom that comes with Pat. We sat there at a game and talked to him. I couldn’t have cared less about the game that was being played. It was great.”
Rich Paul singing Pat Riley’s praises will certainly raise some people’s eyebrows, but it doesn’t mean James rejoining the Heat is a done deal. However, people will assume so for the sake of their respective arguments.
Heat explain LeBron James’ press conference mistake
The Heat explained why LeBron James had a press conference scheduled on their website, leading many to speculate the announcement is coming soon. The Heat are now saying it was a glitch and that they have no press conference planned for James. Not at this exact moment, at least.
As the NBA world awaits LeBron to announce which team he’ll be playing for this upcoming season, the Heat blamed its social media team for the mix-up, per the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang.
“It was a mistake by the Heat’s social media department while preparing for the possibility of LeBron picking the Heat. But there is no validity to it right now,” Chiang reported.
Heat fans are hoping there will be an announcement stating James’ return to the team.
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