Inside The Heat

In Eyes Of NBA Fans, Miami Heat's Pat Riley Has Gone From The Godfather To ... Joe Biden?

Anthony Pasciolla

Aug 12, 2023; Springfield, MA, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley walks the red carpet at the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2023; Springfield, MA, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley walks the red carpet at the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

It's been a ruthless offseason for Miami Heat team president Pat Riley because NBA fans are grilling him for his silence in the open free agency market.

Riley and the Heat's front office have yet to make a move outside of re-signing veteran Kevin Love while the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics made serious moves. It has led fans to draw an unexpected comparison with President Joe Biden.

The Sixers made their major splash early Monday morning by signing star Paul George to a four-year contract along with minor acquisitions of Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon. The Knicks are one of the most active teams this summer, trading for Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby. While the Celtics have not brought in any new talent, retaining guard Derrick White was crucial.

Guard Tyler Herro remains the Heat's top available trade piece as a 24-year-old with slight flashes of All-Star potential. If the Heat are no longer in love with Herro as a part of their core, entertaining trades is the sensible next step. Last offseason showed the former Sixth Man of the Year's trade market value is shaky, but fans would find satisfaction in any meaningful deal.

While NBA fans are going a bit overboard with the comparison, there's no denying Riley must do something if the Heat hope to avoid a third straight appearance in the Play-In Tournament.

Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Inside the Heat. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.

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Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com