How does NYK change fortune after ECF elimination?
Dan Le Batard and Co. discuss what's next for the New York Knicks after getting eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals and the focus points that can help change their fortune.
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Pat Riley admits he wasn't sure about drafting Dwyane Wade: "I've always preferred coaching 25 or 26-year-olds"
Pat Riley has left his imprint on the NBA as a player, coach and executive. Still, he has had an even bigger impact on the Miami Heat, playing a big part in each of the organization's three NBA title runs. Pat signed with the Heat in 1995. He spent his first years with the organization developing talents like Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway, who eventually became the franchise's cornerstones. Advertisement Riley stepped down as coach in 2003 and became team president — he passed the baton to assistant coach Stan Van Gundy. That year, the Heat made arguably the biggest decision in franchise history, selecting Dwyane Wade as the fifth pick in one of the most iconic draft classes ever. However, Pat wasn't initially sold on the idea of drafting the Marquette product. "I've always wanted to coach veterans. I've always preferred to coach 25 or 26-year-olds who had some experience. I also never believed that our team was ever going to be bad enough to think we'd get a high pick. But that year we ended up with No. 5, and I was looking at point guards and centers; that's what we needed," he said. "I had guys like Kirk Hinrich, T.J. Ford and Chris Kaman high on our list, and I was interested in them. Dwyane was on there, but at the start of the process, I wasn't sure," Riley added. Miami Heat's finest: Dwyane Wade and his impact Had Pat passed on Wade, that probably would've been the biggest mistake in franchise history. The history would also look very different. Advertisement Wade displayed great potential from the go, helping the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in his sophomore season. However, the star guard took his game to the next level once Miami acquired Shaquille O'Neal from the Los Angeles Lakers. A year later, Riley returned to coach the Heat and guided O'Neal and Wade to the championship, with the latter putting up one of the best Finals performances in the history of the NBA. Two years later, Riley announced he would step down as head coach while remaining team president. He named Erik Spoelstra as his successor. But Pat still continued his magic. Advertisement In 2010, the Heat signed LeBron James and Chris Bosh to form arguably the greatest Big 3 the NBA has ever seen. They led the franchise to four straight Finals appearances from 2011 to 2014, winning back-to-back titles. Related: "I got the easier part of Shaq" - Dwyane Wade credits Shaquille O'Neal for his rise to NBA superstardom The ultimate tribute to D-Wade Honoring his contributions to the Heat franchise, Riley and Co. decided to build a Wade statue outside their home arena in Miami. This was an emotional moment for the veteran guard, who gave Heat Nation countless moments to cherish during his 16 seasons with them. The final product didn't meet expectations, with fans feeling the Heat did their icon dirty. Aware of the backlash, the legendary guard defended the bronze sculpture, stating it didn't need to look like him. Advertisement Regardless, it was a sign of respect for Wade, who became the greatest Heat player ever. It's crazy to think that he almost didn't join Miami in the first place, and that Riley, who made all the right moves during his time with the organization, could've been the guy behind that decision. Related: Dwyane Wade admits he initially didn't think Erik Spoelstra would be a great NBA coach: "When he first got the job, I was like, 'What are we doing?'"
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John Starks explains why the scouting report never worked on MJ: "Michael Jordan had no weakness in his game"
One of the most useful tools NBA players have when preparing to face an opponent is the scouting report. It breaks down every aspect of an opposing player's game, from their strengths and weaknesses to their tendencies and favorite moves. However, for former NBA All-Star John Starks, there was one player that no amount of preparation could stop: Michael Jordan. In a talk with Jordan's former teammate, Stacey King, the former New York Knicks guard shared his experience defending Jordan during their many clashes in the 1990s. While most scouting reports analyzed an opposing player's habits and preferred spots on the hard court, Jordan's report simply stated, "Good luck." No weaknesses Even the greatest superstars in today's game have vulnerabilities that opponents can exploit. Take LeBron James, for instance — forcing him into jump shots rather than allowing him to drive to the basket can be an effective strategy. Similarly, Stephen Curry's performance can falter when confronted with relentless physical defense. Advertisement However, such was not the case for "Air Jordan." While some may immediately point out that Mike's lack of a reliable 3-point shot (he shot 32 percent for his career), MJ showed on numerous occasions that he could take and make long-distance shots when the situation arose. His complete game left all his foes, especially Starks, who was tasked with shadowing the latter for most of their games, in utter confusion and defeat. "You normally get scouting reports on players, and you know, they show you their strengths and weaknesses. And you know, you, the guy that likes to go right, you jump on his right side and force him to go left. Guy like to go left, you force him, you know, to go right. Or you take certain things away from them," the 1997 Sixth Man of the Year winner said. "Michael had no weaknesses in his game. The scouting report was: Good luck," he declared. "You know — he didn't have any weaknesses in his game." Advertisement Related: "There was no one better than I've ever seen in my life" - Jerry West names the best scorer to ever use the backboard The most well-balanced athlete Starks was best known for his tenacity on the court. Despite the overwhelming odds, he not only made it to the NBA but also succeeded in the league, playing 13 seasons. While John never backed down from the challenge of defending the GOAT, he knew what he was in for every time they faced off. "There's nothing that you could take away from him. You know, he developed a three-point shot. He was a good low-post player. You know, he could take you off the dribble, either hand. And he was a great defender. And so, that's what made him so tough," Starks shared. Advertisement John also pointed out another thing that set Mike apart from all the other superstars in the league: his sense of balance. No matter how physical the defense was, MJ could always hold his ground and stay on course toward the basket. "I always tell people this: He probably was the most well-balanced athlete that I'd ever played against," Starks revealed. "You rarely see him take off-balance shots. And what made him so special, I think, is his mind. His mind would oversee anything out there on the court. And I think that's what made him so special." Considering the clashes he and MJ had in the 1990s, Starks' comments hold a lot of weight. While the Bulls were the most dominant team of that era, the Knicks, with their relentless physicality, gave them a run for their money. Related: Starks didn't think his iconic dunk over Jordan was memorable: "It's funny because I didn't think none of it"
Yahoo
3 hours ago
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Will head coach Joe Mazzulla change the way the Boston Celtics play?
Will head coach Joe Mazzulla change the way the Boston Celtics play after their early exit from the 2025 NBA Playoffs? The Celtics were sent fishing by the New York Knicks in their Eastern Conference Semifinals second round series with their Atlantic Division rival, and Boston's over-reliance on shots from beyond the arc were arguably a significant factor in what went wrong for the Celtics. To be sure, injuries to Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and other key players compounded the matter. But at least some of the blame should fall on a version of Mazzulla ball that was not as complete as it was when the Celtics won the title in 2024. Advertisement The folks behind the "98.5 The Sports Hub" YouTube channel put together a clip from their "Felger and Mazz" show that takes a closer look at such a possibility. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say! This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Will head coach Joe Mazzulla change the way the Celtics play?
