So Long, Pat Riley: Laker Fans Say It Was Great While It Lasted

For many years, Pat Riley has been the most adept coach in the NBA. His genius is motivation, his calling card is “focus,” his record is phenomenal.

Until the night of April 22, the final regular-season game in Portland. In a seemingly harmless and practical move that I applauded, Riley benched four key players and focused the Lakers on losing by 42 points, the worst loss in Laker history.

In just one game, Riley’s legacy on focus was secured: The best team in the NBA proceeded to lose five of nine in the playoffs. And by no coincidence, Portland grabbed the mantle as the West’s top team.

The $25,000 fine was more than symbolic, it was a prophetic lesson on focus. You give up focus for just one game before the playoffs, you suffer the consequences.

RICK WALLACE

Malibu