Pat Riley prefers American players

[Lewis]

Puerto Rico is an American colony (or commonwealth in more PC words), and Canada's only pro basketball team belongs to the National Basketball Association.

But seriously I think you are right. In other words, Riley doesn't like players from European/Asian clubs. I won't be surprised if he's the only one; but being so upfront about this (is this discrimination?) is a little surprising.

well that might be true, but go to Puerto Rico and call someone on the street American; he'd probably punch your face so hard, that you'll literally bleed to death

[mvblair]

To me, Riley is one of the main reasons (add Jeff Van Gundy) for how boring the NBA is (like the old Big East basketball), relying on athleticism over skill. Plus, I'm tired of coaches that slow down their offense and then all of the sudden they are considered defensive geniuses.

Thank you. The '90s could have been much better if it weren't for those two. Why Houston ever wanted JVG to coach Yao is beyond me...

[JGX]

To me, Riley is one of the main reasons (add Jeff Van Gundy) for how boring the NBA is (like the old Big East basketball)

The real originators of this were the slow-paced, ultra-physical late 80's Pistons. It wouldn't have caught on if it didn't work.

Riley's successful Knicks teams were in fact the best defensive teams in the league, by a large margin.

well that might be true, but go to Puerto Rico and call someone on the street American; he'd probably punch your face so hard, that you'll literally bleed to death

But give him a ballot...

[Czarkazem13]

well that might be true, but go to Puerto Rico and call someone on the street American; he'd probably punch your face so hard, that you'll literally bleed to death

What?

Anywho, technically Puerto Ricans are Americans, like Jamaicans, Hatians, Canadians, Bolivians, etc...

[Czarkazem13]

Riley's successful Knicks teams were in fact the best defensive teams in the league, by a large margin.

What do you base that on? I mean, what do you qualify them as being the best defensive teams? Not arguing, just curious on your formula.

[JGX]

What do you base that on? I mean, what do you qualify them as being the best defensive teams? Not arguing, just curious on your formula.

Just going by DRtg at basketball-reference which is points allowed per (estimated) 100 possessions.

1992-93:
1. Knicks 99.7
2. Sonics 104.9
League Average 108.0

1993-94:
1. Knicks 98.2
2. Rockets 101.4
League Average 106.3

Those were Riley's two best Knicks teams. In 94-95 they were still the best in the league but by a smaller margin, while in 91-92 they were tied for second, just 0.1 behind the Spurs. The 92-93 performance is really amazing, difference between the Knicks and the Sonics was bigger than the difference between the Sonics and league average.

[hustlenigga15]

everybody haves dere opinion