If that's what you want to do to convince yourself that Riley and Mickey didn't fuck this up, go right ahead.
Lebron started thinking about this after yall got stomped by Miami and Riley came out and questioned his manhood. One, the only muthafucka that was worth a damn in the Finals was Lebron and then Riley came out and questioned his commitment? Plus, the squad as constructed was DONE in terms of WINNING a title.. they would have gotten out of the east (possibly) but that was it..and then Riley signed two players that didn't help at all.
It's not obvious he made his mind up two years ago..fuck outta here..
Riley new what was up long before that press conference. He knew what he was dealing with when it came to Lebrons and his entourage.
How did Riley and Mickey mess up? The reason I ask is simple.
3 NBA titles in the last 8 years.
5 NBA finals and winning 3 in the last 8 years
The team they put together won a record 27 games in a row and back to back NBA titles.
Pat and Mickey did a great job with putting a good surrounding cast around Wade, Bosh, and Lebron
People act as if having 3 max players don't affect free agent signings. Pat worked the scraps and waiver wire very well.
Something Gilbert has never done