Who Wants to Live Life of Riley Now?

I’m often left wondering what J.A. Adande was thinking. Never was this more apparent than in his Dec. 4 article about Pat Riley. In one breath he indicates that Riley should quit because his team is losing, implying that the game has passed him by.

Apparently, Adande believes in the easy way out, and does not comprehend how one’s reputation could be tarnished more by “giving up” than by living up to the challenge. Yet, in this same article Adande offers the proof of why Riley is a great coach, the fact that he has taken a New York Knick team of outcasts to the finals, and was close with several other Knick and Heat teams with similarly poor talent. Adande should take the time to analyze the facts he presented and understand that what makes a coach great is a willingness to instill his team with a solid work ethic and persevere in times of adversity--not merely hanging onto the coattails of great players (Shaq, Kobe, Jordan) like Phil Jackson.

David Rodriguez

Rowland Heights

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When Pat Riley left the Lakers, first for the glitter of the Big Apple and, later, for that monster deal with the Miami Heat, I admit that I was privately rooting for him to fail. But seeing the arrogant, once-invincible Riley being publicly humiliated, his team already out of the playoff picture and the vultures circling overhead, I take no pleasure in his predicament.

For old times’ sake, I’d like to see Riles go out with a decent season.

Dave Macaray

Rowland Heights