When LeBron James left the Miami Heat in the summer of 2014, Heat president Pat Riley says he saw a dynasty fly out the window.
James signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, ending his four-year run in South Beach with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Heat went to four straight NBA Finals during the James era, winning two and losing two.
“When LeBron made that call, I saw a dynasty fly out the window,” Riley told ESPN's Dan Le Batard, via Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “I didn’t blame him. But I knew that was a 10-year team. It was just a sad day for me and for our franchise because I wanted that dynasty. I wanted this city and this team to go 10 years and maybe be in the Finals eight times. I don’t know how many championships we would have won. But I don’t have any rancor toward him at all.”
The Heat haven't been a contender since LeBron James left in 2014. Bosh has retired from the NBA due to health issues, while Wade is retiring after this season.
The Golden State Warriors won their first championship in 2014. It would have been neat to see how Miami's Big Three matched up against the Dubs that season had LeBron stayed in South Beach.
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