Heat news: Pat Riley comments on dragons, pushups show his true thoughts on retirement

Pat Riley's press conference was electric, with the Heat executive challenging reports to a pushup contest and talking about his inner dragon.

Miami Heat President Pat Riley may be 77 years old, but he feels at least 30 years younger. Riley addressed the media on Monday for the first time since Miami was bounced from the NBA Playoffs in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Boston Celtics, and he dropped some incredible quotes for fans back home. Amid some critical comments about players such as Kyle Lowry, Riley also gassed himself up, claiming he's in peak condition despite getting up there in age.

Pat Riley: I feel an obligation to finish this build. We got a great great player in Jimmy Butler. We put together a team that got to the Eastern Conference Finals and it was bitter. It was a bitter loss. The dragon hasn't left my body yet from that loss. pic.twitter.com/sBYR8bhcI1

— Brendan Tobin (@Brendan_Tobin) June 6, 2022

Speaking on the frustration over the Heat's loss to the Celtics in the Conference Finals, Riley admitted he's still upset, claiming the “dragon hasn't left my body from that loss.” He later challenged the reporters to a push-off contest, furthering his stance that he's nowhere near ready for retirement.

“I'm 77 years old, and right now I can do more pushups than you can do right now. If you want to go the mat, let's go,” Riley joked, though he certainly seemed willing to take anyone up on the offer should they have accepted.

This is a man who is still fired up and ready to go to war for his team. Riley may be getting older, but his personality remains the same. He didn't hold back his disappointment over Miami's playoff exit, but remained committed to seeing out this “build.” With Jimmy Butler playing the best basketball of his career, Riley is determined to bring another championship to Miami.

While the Heat had a good chance of achieving that this year, they fell short of their goal. Riley is clearly fired up over the loss, expressing his willingness to compete in a pushup contest with anyone in the media. Don't expect to see the Heat executive call it a career anytime soon, as the dragon within him is just waking up.