Miami Heat president Pat Riley suffers criticisms again following dismissal of Chris Bosh. First it was LeBron James, then Dwayne Wade and now Bosh - superstars all gone in a blink of an eye.
Riley created an image of invincibility because of perennial playoffs appearances since joining the team in 1995. Within 21-year stint he catapults the Heat into 17 playoffs, 6 NBA finals and 3 championships. An exceptional feat achieved through Chris Bosh, Wade and King James. Now the question that looms over Riley is not on his ability to sustain success but the capacity to hold firm to what may have been the greatest star-studded team that basketball has ever seen.
What could be the final nail in the coffin for Riley is Chris Bosh, according to Basketball Reference. Amidst barrage of bad publicity and word wars following the departure of cornerstone players, Bosh case is unnecessary. Some basketball fans believe that the hoops can kill Bosh because of health conditions. Others will simply say that the Heat is widening salary cap to prepare for 2017 acquisition. Either way, the team was tarnished with ulterior motives and hidden agenda.
Salary cap is indeed a formula in creating super teams but only in certain conditions. Riley and the Heat need to understand that there should be a really good player to serve as magnet for worthy free agents. Chris Bosh could have been that magnet. The Comeback narrated similar situation way back when Wade attracted Bosh and James.
Of course, any NBA team may have enough space in salary cap to lure players. The case is different if exceptional players are targets because they want to team up with capable hands to ensure results. Not to say that the Heat doesn't have Goran Dragic but Chris Bosh is simply a better captain. But what if the team is really concerned about Bosh's condition? Watch out if he pulls a contract somewhere else because only then will fans have proof if he is still fit to play.