Miami Heat: 5 Takeaways From Pat Riley’s End-Of-Year Press Conference

Dec 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley honors former center Shaquille O Neal Jersey number (32) retirement banner is raised into the rafters at the American Airlines Arena during a half time ceremony against the Los Angeles Lakers. O Neal has become the third Heat player to have his jersey retired with former Heat players Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley honors former center Shaquille O Neal Jersey number (32) retirement banner is raised into the rafters at the American Airlines Arena during a half time ceremony against the Los Angeles Lakers. O Neal has become the third Heat player to have his jersey retired with former Heat players Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
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Miami Heat Recent Success Could Change Pat Riley's Offseason Plans
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat president Pat Riley held his yearly end-of-season press conference Wednesday. We break down the most interesting tidbits.

After an enthralling end to the 2016-17 Miami Heat season, one that unfortunately culminated in heartbreak, all eyes in South Florida now turn to free agency and the NBA Draft.

Multiple players are set to hit the open market, some who could turn the Heat from merely being playoff contenders into potentially something more. The draft will also provide a great opportunity to add an important bench piece.

But before we transition fully into offseason mode, we received a final bit of closure on the season that was, in the form of Pat Riley’s traditional end-of-year press conference.

The Heat’s team president spent a lot of time discussing various topics, not all related to his own team. He went over the future of the franchise, what he thought of the players he acquired in free agency one year ago, the young guys on the roster, as well as broader matters like the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the resting issue that became so pertinent around the NBA.

As opposed to making you listen to the entire 50-minute presentation, we plucked out and broke down the five most interesting tidbits. So without further ado, let’s get right to it.