There really hasn't been much to gossip about in NBA news, but watching a 2005 Miami Heat playoff game (on NBA-TV) reminds me that the Heat had a really good team last year. On paper anyway, I think they've taken a giant step backwards with their off-season moves. Antoine Walker reminds me of Pat Riley: a much higher estimation of his own skills than is true, as well as someone I actively root to fail because of his arrogance.
Riley wouldn't have won any championships without Magic Johnson. Perhaps the reverse is true as well, but Pat Riley's thuggish Knicks were a horrid, horrid black eye for basketball. I also don't see any new champion rings on Riley's fingers since he left Los Angeles.
Tai Chi, Pilates, Yoga, and NBA play at its best, in this author's humble opinion, are about flow, movement and fluidity. Riley's Knicks were the antithesis of watch-able basketball.
Anyway, the Heat's prospects for the 2005-2006 are worse, and Stan Van Gundy's job security is tenuous. When, by mid-season, the Heat are hovering around .500, and there is all sorts of public sniping emanating from the locker room, Riley has already set up machinations to fire Van Gundy, and attempt to resurrect his own reputation. Bleh.
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