Pat Riley Killed Basketball

“Pat Riley Killed Basketball!”-J.B.

Even before Lebron James made his decision, and it was just rumored what he may/may not do, seemingly everyone in Chicago, has pretty much vilified him. And for what? Because he wants to win championships? Because he was willing to take less money to do it and do it and one of the best cities in the world? Get out of here! It was fine when he was contemplating joining Rose, Noah, and possibly Bosh in Chicago, but his decision to go to Miami to join Wade and Bosh and form another trio is just “ludicrous” and unheard of. Seems more like a strong case of Hateration as opposed to a strong sentiment that somehow, somewhere the basketball gods are crying because of this move.

The fact of the matter is, basketball is a competitive sport and to do well you must compete. We love MJ because he competed. He competed in practice, competed in the game, out worked you and didn’t feel bad about doing it. Despite the fact that I don’t care for Kobe personally, I respect his game tremendously because he competes! Like him/love him, Kobe’s “killer instinct” is unrivaled apart from “His Airness” and when he’s on it’s a great thing to watch.

Don’t expect anyone in the Heat organization to apologize for doing the best they could to make their team as competitive as they can. Pat Riley, Mickey Arison and the entire Heat organization have done a tremendous job in coaxing three stars into taking less money for a collective goal; championships. All three of these players, admittededly, Wade and Lebron more so than Bosh, don’t need the extra money they’re leaving on the table. But it should not go unnoticed that all three will be leaving MILLIONS on the table for a collective goal. So many times we tear down athletes for making the money motivated decision and here we have the direct opposite and people still want to tear them down. You can’t have it both ways. Either you want them to be money-hungry, egotistical, ball hogs or team oriented, self-less players.

Every time I get an opportunity to speak to a group of kids or students looking for direction in their lives, whether it was as an orientation leader, mentor, or advisor, I’ve always said “follow your heart, pursuit your passion and the money will follow.” That seems to be exactly what these three are doing. It goes without saying that championships breed more endorsements, which would more than make up for the money they’re leaving on the table. What company wouldn’t want either of these three hocking their shoes, sports drink, jock straps or bubble gum?

Even for great players, championships aren’t so easy to come by. Ask Charles Barkley, Dan Marino and Karl Malone. Even ask players who’ve won championships such as Dwayne Wade and Kevin Garnett who’ve won 1 a piece, and they’ve been on record saying that once you’ve had one, one isn’t enough and you want more. It’s not easy for your greatness to be remembered when you don’t walk away with at least one ring. But win one, at least one, and your name will be in the history books forever.

These three players have showed us thus far their desire to win championships, to be immortalized and be the best and I for one am not mad at them. Congratulations Miami Heat, Heat fans, Wade, Bosh and James. D-Wade Welcome Home! Bosh and King James Welcome to South Florida Home of Champions. See you on South Beach!