LeBron James
LeBron James
Pat Riley says LeBron James leaving the Heat was ‘the most shocking’ thing
Published
Mar. 6, 2017 7:09 p.m. ET
Nunzio Ingrassia
LeBron James’ decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the summer of 2014 took many by surprise, but possibly none more so than Heat president Pat Riley. The longtime executive told the Vertical that James’ announcement that he would leave Miami after four seasons was “the most shocking” thing that has happened during his 22-year tenure with the franchise.
"Since I came here, we've had the same owner, same president, two coaches, same support staff. We've got a bunch of guys working for us who played for us," Riley told the outlet. "Players come and go, great players. When LeBron left, that was the most shocking thing to me -- not to say he was right or wrong -- and the most shocking thing to the franchise.
"But our culture is the same. You have your up years and your down years, but what can't change is the way you do things."
James led the Heat to four consecutive trips to the Finals, winning his first two championships. Since his return to Cleveland, the four-time MVP has guided the Cavaliers to back-to-back Finals, rallying Cleveland from a 3-1 hole to beat the Warriors last year.
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