The summer of 2010 was one of the wildest periods in NBA history. That was the summer LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh decided to team up and join the Miami Heat, creating a “Big 3” that would reach the NBA Finals (and win two) in each of the next four seasons.
Pat Riley was the man who made it all happen, and he reflected on how the “Big 3” came together during an interview with FOX Sports Sun on Saturday.
NEW VIDEO: Pat Riley looks back on how "The Big 3" came to be with @EReidMiamiHEAT. Some terrific insight on the moves that set up an incredible run of #NBA titles.
Watch the "@MiamiHEAT Championship Saturday Marathon" now on FOX Sports Sun! pic.twitter.com/UqcaWloOzv
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) May 2, 2020
Riley discussed that the Heat front office planned to have cap space for that summer years in advance, knowing they wanted to be “players” when a number of stars hit the market.
The franchise president also said the Heat quickly realized they had enough to land three max contracts, and so he made his pitch to James and Bosh after July 1. Moreover, he pointed out that the four years the “Big 3” played together are the finest in franchise history, likening the run to that of the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s and the Detroit Pistons at the end of the 1980s.
One detail Riley failed to mention, however, is that both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade took slightly less money so Chris Bosh could sign.
Riley is still a savant of an executive, and he knows what kind of moves are necessary to land star players. Nonetheless, creating the “Big 3” is easily among his finest accomplishments.
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