Riley’s 3-Year Commitment To Miami Heat Questionable, Mike Bibby Would Fit With Dwyane Wade & Shaquille O’Neal

The Associated Press reports on Pat Riley’s decision to fulfill his coaching contract with the Miami Heat:

Riley said Monday that he plans to coach the Heat for the three remaining years on his contract, an announcement that ends months of speculation about his immediate future.

He’ll remain in the dual role of team president as well. "I will coach those out," Riley said. "I will try to coach those out, unless somebody else makes a decision on me. That’s a commitment that I want to make to the organization."

My Quick Take: Pat Riley’s announcement that he’ll stay on as Heat coach for three more seasons means little. It’s like a Hollywood star going to rehab or getting engaged. You hope for the best, but you take it with a grain of salt.

Of course, the likable sideline boss says he’ll retire following the 2009-2010 season. That’s when Dwyane Wade can exercise his opt-out clause and become a free agent and when Shaquille O`Neal`s contract comes off the book.

Well, Coach Riley always had timing. In 2003, he retired from coaching and dumped a 0-7 team on Stan Van Gundy. In 2005, after forcing Van Gundy to step-down as coach, Riley returned to Miami’s bench and helped a much-improved Heat team win an NBA Title. The GQ coach has always retired and un-retired at his convenience.

Don’t expect him to feel bound by his recent declaration of wanting to coach for three more seasons.

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Reports indicate Miami is interested in Sacramento guard Mike Bibby. A couple of points on this trade rumor:

• Bibby has two years, 28 million dollars left on his contract. The Heat would have to part with Jason Williams and Udonis Haslem to balance the salaries and maintain their current salary cap position.
  

• Bibby, if he can regain his shooting touch, would punish defenders who doubled-up on O’Neal and Wade. He would become the third scorer the Heat have been searching for.
  

Do you think Riley will coach with the Heat for the next three seasons? Should Miami go after Bibby? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.

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