After a disappointing end to the Miami Heat's bid for a third straight NBA Championship, team president Pat Riley let his feelings about impending free agency be known.
Speaking at his final news conference of the season, Riley directed comments towards the Heats' three big stars who all can opt out of their contracts and test free agency this year, reports USA Today.
"This stuff is hard. And you got to stay together, if you've got the guts. And if you don't find the first door and run out of it," Riley said.
It was quite clear though that the focus of his statements were directed at LeBron James as Riley feels certain that the other two, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, aren't going anywhere. He did concede though that James does deserve some time to contemplate his future, especially after a thrashing in the Finals where his teammates provided absolutely no help.
"Four years into this era, this team -- four finals, two championships, From Day 1 to the end it was like a Broadway show, sort of run out of steam," the team president said, according to Fox Sports. "We need to retool, we don't need to rebuild, and that's what we're going to do."
James has indicated he needs to think about his future and has until July 1, when free agency begins, to decide if he wants to test the waters or remain fully committed to the Heat.
image courtesy of Carlos Diaz/INFGoff.com