Pat Riley Recalls Recruiting LeBron James, Reflects on Heat Big Three Era

On February 23, ahead of the Lakers vs. Celtics game, legendary head coach Pat Riley spoke about LeBron James, who now plays for the Lakers after previously playing for the Heat under Riley, and recalled recruiting him to form the Big Three.

“When we put together the Big Three with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and especially LeBron James, I felt we had finally built a team that had the potential to be a dynasty,” Riley recalled. “It was truly an extraordinary run—four straight NBA Finals appearances and two championships. As a coach and the architect of that team, I saw the possibility of something that could last eight to ten years.”

“But I also understand… it’s a business in the NBA, and players get opportunities to go elsewhere. He returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers and won a championship there. So I wish him nothing but the best. But selfishly, I wish we could have had him for another six to eight years. It would have been amazing, but we’ll never know.”

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