Miami Heat president Pat Riley held his final press conference of the year on Monday. Last year, the uncertain future of LeBron James was the most significant — if not only — topic of discussion. LeBron is no longer a member of the Heat, but it sure seems like Riley found a way to work him into the conversation.
At one point, Riley was asked about having to build a team last year without knowing if LeBron would be a part of it. Many have interpreted his answer as a shot at James.
“No more smiling faces with hidden agendas,” Riley said, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Riley later clarified that he was simply making a general comment that could have been about anyone, but that’s awfully hard to believe. He made the tongue-in-cheek remark while discussing the upcoming draft, and there’s a good chance LeBron helped dictate Miami’s draft plans before skipping town last year.
LeBron was very open about his admiration toward former UConn star Shabazz Napier, and the common belief is that the Heat drafted Napier to keep King James happy. Riley, of course, has vehemently denied this.
Napier averaged just 5.1 points and 2.5 assists per game this season before undergoing season-ending surgery earlier this month.
Given some of the reports we heard after LeBron chose to return to Cleveland, it seems like he may have mislead Riley and company. Riley is making it hard to believe that he is not still bitter about that.
