Yep, he's also the one who forced Magic Johnson to choose between "the team" and his friendship with Isiah Thomas. That's why Riley is one of the few people in the NBA I like to see fail.
I have no problem with that. These professional athletes are pay to win games, not be friendly to the other teams. It'll be selfish to play lax defense on your opponent when your teammate are busting their butt on defense.
Honda, that's not what the issue was. Very few professional players, certainly not Magic, would lax their defense against their friends. It's more to the spirit of "don't help the opponent up after he falls on the floor." To Riley, you just can't be buddy to any other player who is not on your team. Only Riley is paranoid and obsessed about winning enough to demand that.
Helping player up during the regular season is fine. But try that in the play-offs and you'll be going home soon. Take no prisoners in the play-offs. Else someone might confuse you for the Spurs (soft and nice). You say it's "mean?" I say it's survival.
DavidS, The notion of tough=mean and nice=soft is a very superficial mindset. Also, being perceived to be soft doesn't mean you are soft. Refusing to be incited to throw a punch doesn't mean you are scared to fight.
There's a difference between physical and abusive. IMO, the Heat cross the line. There's contact in basketball, but it shouldn't be a contact sport. Besides, when it really comes down to it... don't you want basketball to be fun to watch? Heat basketball isn't fun to watch. It's boring, in fact. I don't necessarily want every team to be like the Mavericks of last season - but there's nothing wrong with the 2002 Kings. They play good defense, but don't reduce the game to a slugfest, either. Boo on Riley.
