Not content simply trading barbs with his former player through the press, Pat Riley brought out the big guns by making life potentially awkward for Shaq on the new team that he just loves so much. From Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post:"We have sutured up the stab wounds in the back so everybody's waiting for another onslaught,'' Riley said Thursday. "That's how we look at it.''Perhaps Riley did receive a call from Kerr, but I have a hunch that Kerr is more embarrassed about the fact that Riley revealed the contents of their conversation than the realization that Shaq is a loose cannon in front of a microphone.
Riley was reacting to O'Neal's latest jab in which he told writers following the Suns' loss in Boston on Wednesday that he didn't "give a (expletive) that Riley is disappointed. Sue me."
"I got a great call from Steve Kerr, who is absolutely embarrassed,'' Riley said. "He was embarrassed by it. And so I said, 'We are too.' We feel like we're two first-class organizations and I think the people should be aware of that.''
Kerr refused to comment when contacted about the conversation, but hearing that his initial conversation was suddenly part of the public domain prompted him to give Riley a call back to
"Steve and I did speak today but my characterization of him being embarrassed was an embellishment on my part,'' Riley said. "But we did agree that this will end today.''Is he telling the truth? Did he exaggerate the first time or is he simply covering it up the second time? Honestly, it doesn't matter. The fact that we're asking that question means that Shaq is probably asking it as well, and for a guy who thrives off having his ego properly stroked, it must be unsettling to think his new GM is siding with his adversary. Paranoia trumps making fun of Chris Quinn. Game, set, match, Riley.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Man, maybe Riley wanted to get back at Shaq so badly that he knew that by outing his convo with Kerr it'd make the atmosphere in Phoenix really strained, and, hence, unenjoyable for Shaq. And he was willing to jeopardize his relationship with Kerr to do it.
Eh, maybe that's taking it too far. (Maybe?) Still, crazy stuff. Riles really screwed Kerr over on this one.
-randy
Posted at 9:05AM on Mar 28th 2008 by RandallKim07
2. Classy call by Steve Kerr, although you shouldn't have to apologize (essentially) for your player's comments. Riley knows it's no big deal, and he probably sees where O'Neal's coming from, at some level.
Posted at 10:27AM on Mar 28th 2008 by Ryne Nelson
3. Riley's a manipulative sneak. He let VanGundy bring the Heat to championship level then canned him so he could get another ring. Unfortunately he hasn't even come close to a repeat when he's coached them for an entire season. Riley was a great coach in his time but that's passed. He's got a history of playing head games with coaches, Kerr & Shaq should ignore him.
Posted at 5:19PM on Mar 28th 2008 by jt