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[Saba Sports News] A former NBA All-Star is turning up the pressure on the Miami Heat — and directing it squarely at team president Pat Riley.
The Heat dropped their eighth straight game on Monday with a loss to the New York Knicks, falling to 29-39 on the season. The team has struggled mightily since trading away Jimmy Butler, who played just 25 games before reportedly forcing his way out ahead of the deadline.
There’s growing chatter that Riley’s old-school, hard-nosed leadership style played a role in Butler’s departure — and is now hurting the franchise’s direction. Former All-Star guard Jeff Teague certainly thinks so.
“They gotta get rid of Pat Riley, man,” Teague said on his “Club 520 Podcast” Tuesday. When asked if Riley was a problem, he didn’t hesitate: “Yes, bro.”
While it’s easy to criticize Riley now with the team floundering and Butler gone, his track record shouldn’t be overlooked. Despite losing LeBron James a decade ago, Riley rebuilt the Heat into a contender, guiding them to three Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals appearances in the last five years.
Sure, the Butler breakup may not have ended smoothly — but if anyone has earned the benefit of the doubt, it’s Riley. After nearly three decades with the Heat and a legacy filled with success, the front office still seems to believe in his vision.
Still, with the team sliding and questions swirling, the calls for change — even from former players — are getting louder.