Pat Riley had no problem with LeBron James guaranteeing titles in 2010

Miami Heat team president Pat Riley has no problem with confidence.

That’s why he had no issues with LeBron James famously saying the Heat would “multiply” titles when he and Chris Bosh traded for Dwyane Wade in 2010.

“I didn’t mind at all,” Riley said during an appearance on “The OGs Show” with Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem. “We had a full house, the atmosphere was crazy. Things like that don’t happen that often in the NBA. I think he was just joking, I don’t mind if people say we’re going to win.”

Riley made a similar guarantee when he coached the Los Angeles Lakers. After defeating the Boston Celtics in the 1987 Finals, Riley said they would do it again.

“In 1987 we beat the Celtics,” Riley said. “It was the best team we’ve ever had. This team had grown into their best team in 1987. We won 67 games this year. We won the title. I remember telling the media after four championships: the parade, “I guarantee we’ll win again next year.” And I meant it.”

The Lakers kept Riley’s promise and defeated the Detroit Pistons the next season. Although James didn’t win as many titles as expected, he led the Heat to two championships.

“The reason I said that, and I thought about it a lot, was because I wanted to put more pressure on the team than I ever had before,” Riley said. “If you think you are as great as you are, you can win two titles in a row, you have to do it and I believed in it.”

Shandel Richardson is editor of Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at [email protected]

Follow our reporting on Facebook

X: @ShandelRich