That was just good timing. With or without Robinson, they were the worst team in the league. In this case, Riley quit on the team, let Ron Jermey come in (who did a hell of a job) , then fell into Shaq. Then R.J. takes them to within one game of the finals and Riles decides its time for him to coach again. Honestly, I think Riley has lost his ability. Maybe it was just that he was a horrible GM that put himself in bad situations, but I felt his last years he was very overrated as a coach. Van Gundy did a great job, gained a great windfall in Shaq and Wade and should be allowed to reap the benefits. At worst, they should work something out where it's a "co-coaching" staff, but of course that presents problems with dissention. I would welcome Van Gundy here, but other teams will be lining up to gain his services.
In defense of Pop though(and this is coming from a diehard Spurs hater), he fired Hill and took over as Coach less than a quarter of the way through the season. So there was no guarantee at that time that San Antonio would land the #1 pick and get Tim Duncan. Remember, everyone in Boston thought he was destined to be a Celtic.
I thought you were of the group essentially saying the Heat and Shaq were bascially hopeless? Which is it? They have a chance for a ring if healthy, or do you not think so? All you said before is it matters if Wade is injured, what makes you think Wade will get injured again? You are correct, I thought he made it in 2003-2004 but it looks like he didn't. Odom was the best team on a playoff team (17/10/4). He is certainly borderline all-star level. I'd feel bad for Stan. I honestly think he did a great job, particularly considering the injuries. A couple slightly better role players around Shaq and Wade and I do think they could be the favorites. I don't think it was a terrible deal for the Lakers in the long run. Basically Odom (borderline all-star) and Kwame--a troubled but high upside young big is what is boils down to, and a pick or two. That said it was a great trade for Miami, and completely destroyed the myth Shaq wasn't the most important player for all the Lakers' recent titles. Kobe was a coatail rider the way Pippen was for Jordan. It is obvious after seeing how the Lakers and Heat played last year for those who didn't know Shaq was the key cog before. Shaq has a better chance in his couple years left for another ring than Kobe does in all of his. But Kobe and the new Laker team should be competitive--though not competing for rings, and keep most the fans. So from that perspective, it makes sense.
He probably won't go anywhere next season. The idea he would come here as an assistant seems even less unlikely. Detroit has settled on Brown or Saunders and the Knicks will keep Herb Williams if Brown doesn't go there. His only hope would be Seattle, which is supposed to be close to naming McMillan's successor.
That would suck for SVG if he loses his job and has to go back down to being 'greaseman's assistant again. It's like "hey...i used to coach these guys...damn well...and now...nothing..." I think Riley has done enough for the organization and shouldn't even get back into coaching. He did well (or lucked out) by drafting Wade, put good role players around Shaq and Wade and made them a contender. Shouldn't he just sit back and enjoy it? It's not like he could have suited up and took Flash's place in Game 7...
I hope this isn't true. It'd be a ridiculous decision on the part of Riley. However, if there is truth in it, I hope SVG ends up coaching the Knicks. He's certainly earned his right to be a head coach in this league.
