MIAMI — So how would Pat Riley react to a social-media world that since the Miami Heat’s postseason exit has cast doubt on his staying power? The same as always: by coming out swinging.
No, the Heat president said Monday, he is not going anywhere.
No, Riley said, he does not feel diminished or deterred by a management structure that has him now, as it has been for the past decade and a half, answering to CEO Nick Arison, the son of Heat owner Micky Arison.
So, yes, he said, the reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.
“I think first things first is to sort of clear up a lot of what I think is a lot of inaccurate portrayals, coverage, or whatever it is about me,” he opened the hour-plus media session at Kaseya Center, after some initial pleasantries.
And then, the 81-year-old franchise patriarch continued, “I’m not going to retire. I’m not going to resign. I’m not going to step aside.”
Introduced by Micky Arison on one of Arison’s Carnival cruise ships in 1995 as the future of the Heat, Riley said Monday his outlook remains full steam ahead.
“I want another parade down Biscayne Boulevard,” having overseen Heat championships in 2006, ’12 and ’13, as well as three NBA Finals appearances since. “It may come, it may not, whatever. But it’s always been my desire is to win.”
With the Heat having won just one playoff game over the past three seasons, there has been increased inspection of the Heat hierarchy, with the reality being that Nick Arison was named Riley’s superior in a July 2011 media release by the team, that organizational masthead remaining similar since.
“I would appreciate from all of you the respect of not going down that road, without talking about it,” Riley said of the conjecture of his place and influence in the team’s hierarchy.
“I spent the week just covering cap sheets,” Riley said, “and taking a look at possibilities and what’s next for us — would-be free agents, the possibility of trades or whatever it is that we’ve done for the last 30 years. That’s what I’ve done for the last week is start preparing for what’s next.”
Yes, eventually it will be on to a next thing for the franchise’s patriarch.
“The desire now, as always, for more,” he said. “I mean, I love this franchise, period. I mean, I love what we’ve built here over 30 years.
“You know, one day it will happen. Don’t think that I haven’t thought about it. I’ve thought about it. I’m aging up, OK. I’m 81 years old now. That’s aging up. I think Micky and Nick will decide whether or not I age out.”
And if there is a handoff, it will be with the knowledge of handing it off to those committed to playoffs, winning, without the shortcut of tanking for draft picks at the cost of a losing product.
“I love what I’m doing,” Riley said. “I love the people I’m working with. I’ve seen them grow.”
The hierarchy, contrary to outside suggestion, is remaining largely similar to the start, save for those who have moved on, such as former general manager Randy Pfund, former lead draft scout Chet Kammerer, who still retains an emeritus title with the organization, and former coach Stan Van Gundy.
A hierarchy including coach Erik Spoelstra, General Manager Andy Elisburg and Assistant General Manager Adam Simon that has been alongside for years, in lockstep, while also appreciative of where the final signoff stands.
“When I first got here,” Riley said, “it was Micky and myself and Randy basically making a lot of decisions. And then after I got out of coaching Stan came in and Spo, his role moved up. And other people’s roles, Andy, Chet, Adam, their roles moved up. And then when Spo came, Andy and Chet and Adam and others, their roles improved or got bigger.
Heat’s Pat Riley: ‘I’m not going to retire; I’m not going to resign; I’m not going to step aside’