CLEVELAND ---- Miami Heat President Pat Riley was not first but it didn't stop Riley from getting a head start the day before the Heat's scheduled meeting with LeBron James. The meeting takes place Friday morning at the IMG building on the corner of East 9th and St. Clair in downtown Cleveland. The New Jersey Nets were the first...
Miami Heat President Pat Riley will focus on LeBron James Friday.CLEVELAND ---- Miami Heat President Pat Riley was not first but it didn't stop Riley from getting a head start the day before the Heat's scheduled meeting with LeBron James. The meeting takes place Friday morning at the IMG building on the corner of East 9th and St. Clair in downtown Cleveland.
The New Jersey Nets were the first team to meet with James on Thursday morning, followed by the New York Knicks. The sessions began the most anticipated free-agent period in NBA history ---- and James leads the class.
Riley leads a group that includes Managing General Partner Micky Arison and Andy Elisburg, senior vice president/assistant general manager of basketball operations. They gathered Thursday evening near the far right corner in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel lounge.
The atmosphere was casual. Riley and members of his group were barely audible from a distance of six-feet away. The discussion was certainly
about Friday's meeting with James.
When approached, Riley asked for a moment while he continued to conduct business.
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Shortly after two members of Riley's party called it a night, Leon Rose, James' agent, entered the room and joined Riley and Elisburg. More than likely, Rose will participate in today's meeting with the Heat, but apparently neither side could wait.
So why the rush?
Rose and Riley talked for nearly 45 minutes. Their conversation ended around 12:20 A.M. Just before leaving, Riley would only address the Cleveland Cavaliers new coaching hire.
"I'm not surprised," said Riley, about new Cavaliers coach Byron Scott. "He's a good choice. He'll do a wonderful job."
Riley is familiar with Scott, who won three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers under then coach Riley.