LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 06: Pat Riley prior to the start of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
NBA fines Pat Riley
The NBA released an official statement announcing that Miami Heat President Pat Riley was fined for violating the league's anti-tampering rule on Wednesday.
The fine comes after Riley appeared as a guest on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.
Billy Gil, of The Le Betard and Friends Network, asked Riley if the key is still under the doormat for Lakers forward LeBron James.
“I would leave the key under the doormat if he would call me and let me know that he’s coming,” Riley said calling back to the summer of 2014 when James supposedly did not call Riley to let him know he was signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers. “I would do that, but I doubt very much that key…That key is rusted now.
“LeBron, look, he’s one of the greatest of all time, and for four years down here, if we want to go back and remember what those four years were like, it was four years in the Finals, four years of excitement, two world championships…It was the best time for the Heat. So I wish him nothing but the best, and if he ever wanted to come back, I’ll put a new shiny key under the mat.”
LeBron James is no stranger to the Miami Heat.
Many would argue that his four-year tenure in Miami, which included back to back regular season MVP awards and two championships, was LeBron at his best.
As great as the sight of Pat Riley welcoming back the 2012 and 2013 Finals MVP to Miami may be for Heat fans, it is a direct violation of the NBA's strict tampering policy.
It seemed like Riley knew what he was getting into when the Godfather of Heat Culture said, "This will just get me fined for tampering."
(Fast forward to 14:02 to hear the question)
Written by: Felipe Alvarez
