NEW YORK ? Pat Riley can't understand why Shaquille O'Neal keeps talking about the Miami Heat.
Riley responded to O'Neal's criticisms Wednesday with some of his own, saying his former Miami center was wrong to disparage some of his old teammates and trainers in a Boston Globe story.
"It's sad that he says those things. We shared so much here, together, for three years, good and bad, 3 ? years," Riley said, referring specifically to the Heat's 2006 NBA title. "I just think it's sad that he's got to do that."
Riley, the Miami coach and president, dealt O'Neal to Phoenix before the trade deadline, allowing the 36-year-old center the chance to compete for another title. O'Neal made it clear how much he prefers his new teammates.
"I love playing for this coach and I love playing with these guys," O'Neal told the Globe. "We have professionals who know what to do. No one is asking me to play with Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. I'm actually on a team again."
After Phoenix's loss to Boston, O'Neal elaborated, saying that defenses would sag off Quinn and Davis and he wasn't able to get the ball.
Riley said he wasn't bothered by criticism leveled at him, but said O'Neal has no reason to blame anyone else in the organization.
Of Riley's comments, O'Neal said colorfully, "I don't [care] how he interpreted it."
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I can't stand the Diesel, butven still, Shaq O'Neal didn't leave his team to scout next years talent.
Pat Riley is a fraud. I still can't believe they let him leave the team, then basically hold a gun to Stan Van Gundy's back and essentially demand his job back.
A damn shame...
Riley responded to O'Neal's criticisms Wednesday with some of his own, saying his former Miami center was wrong to disparage some of his old teammates and trainers in a Boston Globe story.
"It's sad that he says those things. We shared so much here, together, for three years, good and bad, 3 ? years," Riley said, referring specifically to the Heat's 2006 NBA title. "I just think it's sad that he's got to do that."
Riley, the Miami coach and president, dealt O'Neal to Phoenix before the trade deadline, allowing the 36-year-old center the chance to compete for another title. O'Neal made it clear how much he prefers his new teammates.
"I love playing for this coach and I love playing with these guys," O'Neal told the Globe. "We have professionals who know what to do. No one is asking me to play with Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. I'm actually on a team again."
After Phoenix's loss to Boston, O'Neal elaborated, saying that defenses would sag off Quinn and Davis and he wasn't able to get the ball.
Riley said he wasn't bothered by criticism leveled at him, but said O'Neal has no reason to blame anyone else in the organization.
Of Riley's comments, O'Neal said colorfully, "I don't [care] how he interpreted it."
----------
I can't stand the Diesel, butven still, Shaq O'Neal didn't leave his team to scout next years talent.
Pat Riley is a fraud. I still can't believe they let him leave the team, then basically hold a gun to Stan Van Gundy's back and essentially demand his job back.
A damn shame...