Sorry, but GM Lebron did not create the Heat. You can tap that out, but it doesn't make it so. He didn't draft Chalmers or sign Joel Anthony, James Jones, Mike Miller, and Mike Bibby.
Is it infinitely better to pick up vets on the cheap with Lebron and DWade and Bosh on your roster, abso-fucking-lutely. Pat Riley is no genius, but he did have 25ish years experience dealing with with superstars PRIOR to Lebron joining the Heat, so he knew how to create the space to win the Lebron sweepstakes.
Have they overpaid for players since Lebron left. They have. They've had guys get hurt right after signing big contracts too.
If Lebron orchestrated the Kevin Love trade on his own, then good job. That got him another championship. But it is waaaay easier to put together a team with Lebron on the roster than without him on the roster. Riley has won championships before Miami, at Miami before Lebron, and Miami has continued to be watchable after Lebron left. Cleveland was not watchable after Lebron left.
Again, I don't slather over Pat Riley's hall of fame career. But he has had a hall of fame career, so to dismiss it just seems super childish to me. The equivalent of kid screaming I'm taking my ball and going home.
Cleveland was dumpster fire within minutes of Lebron leaving. Miami has been pretty good despite not only losing Chris Bosh just like they lost Alonzo, but being responsible for his contract on their cap until I think this year. Despite that, they've made the playoffs more than they haven't. Their hurdle is Whiteside. They signed him to a huge contact knowing he is a headcase. At least I'd think they'd have to know. And though he is often super productive, he sucks or misses chunks of games for mysterious reasons way too often for a near max player.
Riley was always able to meld egos into team. That was his skill. You can dismiss it, but he's won a lot of trophies.
