Following an offseason of relative inactivity, Miami Heat president Pat Riley addressed the media to discuss the current news relating to the team.
The NBA free agency period has come and gone and the Miami Heat were basically witnesses to the frenzy occurring around them.
However, despite this lack of activity, in which the re-signing of veteran sharpshooter Wayne Ellington has been the most notable news item, team president Pat Riley remains largely bullish about the season ahead:
"“I think this year is a pivotal year for these guys when they come back and to try to dispel the notion and the perception out there that we are who a lot of people think we are….We are going to be a very, very competitive team, and I do hope that through the continuity and the belief that we have in this roster, that they’ll be better.”"
In bringing back the same roster, Riley is essentially rolling with the same core group that has represented the Heat for the past two seasons. One major difference moving forward from last season will be the return to full health of shooting guard Dion Waiters.
Following 30 largely ineffective games last year due to an ankle injury that eventually required season-ending surgery, Riley and the Heat are anticipating that they receive a replica of the player who flourished at the back-end of the 2016-17 season as the Heat pulled off an 30-11 record to finish the season.
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When asked about Waiters, Riley simply stated he was “ramping up” his rehabilitation following surgery in January.
The most notable part of the teleconference with reporters was his stance on Dwyane Wade. Brought back to the team last February, Wade made a noticeable difference to the team, both on and off the floor in his brief return.
On the subject of Wade returning for a 16th season in the league, Riley left no one in doubt as to his intentions:
"“I want him back as a player. I want him back as a competitor. I want him back as a guy who wants to have the greatest year he ever had as a player.”"
Then there was the subject of the Heat and their overall cap space. Left with no flexibility due to the contracts handed out over the past two years, Riley nonetheless tried to put a positive spin on the situation, and how the Heat will attempt to make the best of a challenging situation:
"“Free agency and (cap) room can be overstated. You can have room fatigue….After the Durant and after the Hayward situations….we discovered a team to keep together for two or three years and that’s why we are where we are right now.”"
So while the Heat undoubtedly tried to move the likes of Hassan Whiteside and Tyler Johnson this offseason, Riley was confident they could make the best out of the current situation, particularly as it pertains to Whiteside:
"“I think he’ll go back to that first year and a half when people were talking about him being defensive player of the year.”"
Furthermore, with the departure of LeBron James to the Western Conference, a large void has been left to fill in the fight for Eastern Conference supremacy.
So while their inactivity this summer was noticeable, Riley and the Heat will be banking on their continuity being a major factor as they seek to return to the postseason.