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MIAMI — One down. One to go?
Miami Heat president Pat Riley said the team has "had discussions" with free agent LeBron James' camp, but is "waiting to see" what the 41-year-old decides.
“I don’t know. I really don’t,” Riley said Thursday (July 16) after Giannis Antetokounmpo's introductory press conference at the Kaseya Center.
“To be transparent about it, we’ve had discussions over a week ago, maybe a week before that, about it. But right now, I think we’re like everybody else. We’re just waiting to see what he does, and then we’ll see what happens. But I really can’t answer that right now.”
Riley characterized the acquisition of two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo as "we landed the plane" before adding "now there’s another one we have to land.”
More Miami Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo finds inspiration in Lionel Messi
Although several teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly are in the mix, many believe it's down to two teams James has won a title with: his hometown Cavaliers and the Heat.
"As far as (James), that is something that would happen organically," Riley said. "I hope I'm not talking out of both sides of my mouth here, you never know that you're ever going to win a title until you win one. But you'll never win one if you don't have the talent and the coaching to do it.
"This is the team we have right now and I'm happy with it. We'll see what happens in the future and it's a day-to-day process. First thing to do is we landed a 747."
James, who has played 23 seasons in the NBA, spoke Thursday during a live taping of his “Mind the Game” podcast at Fanatics Fest in New York. He did not give any hints as to where his plane will land.
"I am looking forward to what comes next as I wind down my journey," he said. "It’s going to be pretty fun wherever I land.”
James later added: “There are so many other factors that I’m factoring in right now on what not only best fit me as a player, what best fit me as a person, my happiness, and also with my family as well.”
James spent four seasons with the Heat, 2010 to 2014, making the NBA Finals four times and winning twice. He also won a title with Cleveland and the Lakers. Last year, in his final year with the Lakers, James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game while shooting 51.5% from the field and 31.7% on threes. He played 60 games.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Pat Riley confirms Miami Heat had talks about LeBron James
Continue reading...
Miami Heat president Pat Riley said the team has "had discussions" with free agent LeBron James' camp, but is "waiting to see" what the 41-year-old decides.
“I don’t know. I really don’t,” Riley said Thursday (July 16) after Giannis Antetokounmpo's introductory press conference at the Kaseya Center.
“To be transparent about it, we’ve had discussions over a week ago, maybe a week before that, about it. But right now, I think we’re like everybody else. We’re just waiting to see what he does, and then we’ll see what happens. But I really can’t answer that right now.”
Riley characterized the acquisition of two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo as "we landed the plane" before adding "now there’s another one we have to land.”
More Miami Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo finds inspiration in Lionel Messi
Although several teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly are in the mix, many believe it's down to two teams James has won a title with: his hometown Cavaliers and the Heat.
"As far as (James), that is something that would happen organically," Riley said. "I hope I'm not talking out of both sides of my mouth here, you never know that you're ever going to win a title until you win one. But you'll never win one if you don't have the talent and the coaching to do it.
"This is the team we have right now and I'm happy with it. We'll see what happens in the future and it's a day-to-day process. First thing to do is we landed a 747."
James, who has played 23 seasons in the NBA, spoke Thursday during a live taping of his “Mind the Game” podcast at Fanatics Fest in New York. He did not give any hints as to where his plane will land.
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"I am looking forward to what comes next as I wind down my journey," he said. "It’s going to be pretty fun wherever I land.”
James later added: “There are so many other factors that I’m factoring in right now on what not only best fit me as a player, what best fit me as a person, my happiness, and also with my family as well.”
James spent four seasons with the Heat, 2010 to 2014, making the NBA Finals four times and winning twice. He also won a title with Cleveland and the Lakers. Last year, in his final year with the Lakers, James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game while shooting 51.5% from the field and 31.7% on threes. He played 60 games.
Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Pat Riley confirms Miami Heat had talks about LeBron James
Continue reading...
