SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - On a long-awaited day to celebrate his eminence as an NBA coach, Pat Riley took a moment to acknowledge two haunting laments: his distasteful departure from New York and the inability to help Patrick Ewing get a championship ring.
"It bothers me, yeah, it really bothers me," Riley said about the missed opportunity in 1994, when the Knicks blew a 3-2 series lead in the NBA Finals and lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games. "I always think I could have done something just a little more ... I look back and I always second-guess myself on that series. When you get there, you gotta win it."
Riley helped lead the Knicks to four 50-win seasons, two Atlantic Division titles, two trips to the Eastern Conference finals and one run to the NBA Finals. He is the franchise leader in winning percentage (.680) and is fourth in wins with 243. It was a short but torrid stint in New York for Riley, who immediately became a bitter enemy as coach of the rival Miami Heat after he bolted for South Florida in the spring of 1995.
Riley, who was frustrated with a power struggle over player-personnel decisions, resigned as Knicks coach with a faxed letter to former Garden president Dave Checketts and accepted full autonomy to run the Heat. For a man who changed the look of the stereotypical coach with impeccable suits, sophistication and charisma, he lost major style points with that move.
"I'm sorry the end was so bad," Riley said of his departure from the Knicks. "I'm so sorry because it was my fault more than it was anybody else's. It ended up negatively and I'm sorry about that."
Not sorry enough, however, to say he wished he stayed.
"If I had it to do all over again, I would have left but I would have done it differently," Riley said. "Instead of faxing it ... " He then chuckled and decided not to finish the thought.
His ugly departure is still etched in the memory of Knicks fans -- who can forget when they serenaded him with chants of "Pat the Rat" at the Garden? -- but it's his arrival that might be more poignant to the current team. Riley came to New York famous for coaching the dynastic Lakers with his "Showtime" style. But with the Knicks, he turned Showtime into Basketbrawl.
Riley points to that when he's asked if new coach Mike D'Antoni can adapt his style the same way Riley did in 1992.
"Mike's going to change and transform," Riley said. "Just get on his coattails and go along for the ride because he's a great, great coach and he was a great choice. He's going to excite that whole place."
-Alan Hahn, Newsday
Cane Nation
WGAS...that was 14 years ago :rolleyes:
KingOfAllWhites
Any Knicks fan would give a shit. I still cringe when I hear the name Pat Riley. Once a POS always a POS
Cane Nation
Quote: Originally posted by KingOfAllWhites Any Knicks fan would give a shit. I still cringe when I hear the name Pat Riley. Once a POS always a POS
I agree Riley was a POS that's why I don't care how he feels now.
MikeyJJ
It took that greasy fuck this long to acknowledge that he is the reason Patrick never got a ring...I really can't even stand looking at that asshole.
Cane Nation
Mike Keenan did similar shit while with the Rangers around the same time. He had the same power struggle and then he left too. But at least he actually won a champioship in the process...something Riley failed at while in NY...fuck him!!
Gillyman
Quote: Originally posted by KingOfAllWhites
"It bothers me, yeah, it really bothers me," Riley said about the missed opportunity in 1994, when the Knicks blew a 3-2 series lead in the NBA Finals and lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games.
Fuck.. He left an ice cold John Starks shoot a ton of shots in game 6.
Cane Nation
Quote: Originally posted by Gillyman Fuck.. He left an ice cold John Starks shoot a ton of shots in game 6.
3 for 17 some shit like that? Fuck...Starks was average when he was in the CBA
Pussah2
Quote: Originally posted by Cane Nation 3 for 17 some shit like that? Fuck...Starks was average when he was in the CBA
they only made it to game 7 because starks singlehandedly won game 6
tommyp
Yeah, but when your hot hand is cold, you can't keep riding him. Blackmon was champing at the bit to get in that game, and he sat on the bench pretty much the entire game.
Cane Nation
Quote: Originally posted by Pussah2 they only made it to game 7 because starks singlehandedly won game 6
Um, the Knicks lost game 6...on a missed shot from Starks no less. The Knicks were up 3-2 and lost games 6 & 7.
Maximus06
still bothers me too :rolleyes:
Pussah2
Quote: Originally posted by Cane Nation Um, the Knicks lost game 6...on a missed shot from Starks no less. The Knicks were up 3-2 and lost games 6 & 7.
you are correct. I remember that . it was a block by olajuwon. I apologize for my error
Pussah2
Quote: Originally posted by Maximus06 still bothers me too :rolleyes:
this bothers me the fucking most.
Cane Nation
Quote: Originally posted by Pussah2 you are correct. I remember that . it was a block by olajuwon. I apologize for my error
No problem...I still get pissed about that series. There is no way they should have lost that series.
MikeyJJ
I was only 13 for that series and fought like hell to stay awake for game 7 and then cried like a bitch when the Knicks lost...
What game did Messier carry the Cup into the Garden during the game...that was awesome.
Pussah2
that was also the oj white bronco series
Cane Nation
Quote: Originally posted by Pussah2 that was also the oj white bronco series
Yep, game 5 I believe
Cane Nation
Quote: Originally posted by MikeyJJ What game did Messier carry the Cup into the Garden during the game...that was awesome.
Not sure if that was game 6 or 7 but I do remember that. I also remember Anthony Mason running around the Garden in a Ranger jersey during the Rangers / Canucks finals game and the crowd going nuts with a "LET'S GO KNICKS" chant...was awesome!!!
MikeyJJ
Quote: Originally posted by Cane Nation Not sure if that was game 6 or 7 but I do remember that. I also remember Anthony Mason running around the Garden in a Ranger jersey during the Rangers / Canucks finals game and the crowd going nuts with a "LET'S GO KNICKS" chant...was awesome!!!
Must have been game 6 then because I yhink game 7 was in Houston wasnt it???
Cane Nation
Quote: Originally posted by MikeyJJ Must have been game 6 then because I yhink game 7 was in Houston wasnt it???
Sorry, you're right...actually games 6 & 7 were in Houston.
MikeyJJ
Quote: Originally posted by Cane Nation Sorry, you're right...actually games 6 & 7 were in Houston.
So it was 2-3-2 series? I thought it might have been 2-2-1-1-1. Doesn't really matter...Knicks lost. Been a long time and I really dont feel like looking it up.
KingOfAllWhites
Definately a 2-3-2 series... :mad:
Cane Nation
Quote: Originally posted by MikeyJJ So it was 2-3-2 series? I thought it might have been 2-2-1-1-1. Doesn't really matter...Knicks lost. Been a long time and I really dont feel like looking it up.
Yeah, it was a 2-3-2 but you're right, doesn't matter...Knicks were up 3-2 and couldn't close the deal.
xtxguyx
The number 1 reason the Knicks lost Championship game in 94
Hakeem 'The Dream' Olajuwon
afdesertguy
WGAS knicks suck
Maximus06
Quote: Originally posted by afdesertguy WGAS knicks suck
you haven't realized this is an east coast forum yet? :rolleyes:
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