Riley says LeBron ‘never, ever’ asked for Spoelstra firing
FILE — LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat is helped off the court after cramping up against the San Antonio Spurs during Game One of the 2014 NBA Finals at the AT&T Center on June 5, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP
Amid reports of LeBron James’ supposed power play, Miami Heat president Pat Riley denied that the four-time MVP had made a move to get head coach Erik Spoelstra fired during his time in South Beach.
“Nothing like that ever transpired, nothing,” the Hall of Fame coach told Sun Sentinel. “LeBron, unfairly to him, had to deal with it.”
Riley also addressed the media afterwards and repeated his sentiments.
“Not from him to me, ever,” Riley said. “So a lot of stuff is following him out the door. Whether it’s right or wrong, it’s just the nature of it. But as far as that goes, no, he never, ever walked in and said anything.”
Heat limited partner Ranaan Katz said in an interview that James had vouched for the sacking of head coach Erik Spoelstra throughout their four-year partnership in Miami. The minority owner, though, have since retracted his statement, saying his words were taken out of context.
Riley nonetheless vehemently denied the allegations.
“It’s somebody who has low power that ran his mouth,” said Riley, referring to Katz.
These details came out on the heels of David Blatt’s unceremonious firing as the head coach in Cleveland, a move which has been linked to James’ supposed displeasure with the mentor.
Though there were times throughout that four years when James and Spoelstra clashed, Riley downplayed the situation and referred to it as something typical between fierce competitors in the same locker room.
“That probably could be one of the biggest questions that every team has to face some time during their tenure with certain players,” he said. “And it doesn’t come to the general manager, it’s normal locker-room pattering and smattering and bitching and whatever it is, from players, about whoever is coaching the team, whoever is running the team.”
“So, to me, it’s a common thing that goes throughout the league, but very rarely does anything ever come out of it.”
James and Spoelstra together had four straight Finals appearances, with the Heat winning the NBA championship in 2012 and 2013.
