why I hate Pat Riley

So I've been watching the NBA Finals at home with my boyfriend and his boys, for the most part a bunch of die-hard b-ball fans who worship the ground that Miami Heat coach Pat Riley walks on. I can see that. I mean, he used to coach Magic! And Kareem! And Worthy! And all those other Laker cats whose names I can't remember! Yeah, Riley was THE MAN in the 80's. Chris Rock may have said it best when he suggested that Riley become the new leader of the black community because "no man has led more brothers to the promised land." And he can still rock Armani like nobody's business. (ok, the guys don't care about that one, but....)

See, here's the thing. They can love Pat all they want. Personally, I hope the Heat get stomped out like extras in an M.O.P video. And it's not because Shaq scares me a little, and it's not because I want to see vets Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning end their careers ringless (actually, that and Dwyane Wade's cute little baby face are the ONLY reasons I wouldn't mind a Miami win). So, why would I want to see the Heat lose?

Because I'm a Knicks fan.

Yup, I'm taking it back to '94. I'm still pissed. Not only did Riley's piss-poor coaching during Game 7 cost us the title (I mean, who keeps a guy on the court in the midst of a 3-for-18 shooting night because he had a hot hand in the other three games?! With Rolando Blackman on the bench? What was he smoking??!! I loved John Starks back in the day, but even I would've benched the guy!), but instead of getting the team ready for another run next season, he turned bitch and ran off to Miami. You all know what's happened to the Knicks since. I could get into what he did to the Heat (keep your head up, Stan!), but I'll let the sportswriters handle that one.

I've been having a great time watching the Heat get destroyed by the Mavericks so far (y'all KNOW that Miami escaped last night). I really hope that Karma (with the help of Dirk Nowitzki) kicks Riley dead in the ass and denies him this one, and not even the possibility of Wade cracking a smile is gonna change my mind. Go Mavericks!