Riley steps down as Heat coach; Erik Spoelstra takes over Miami, FL (Sports Network) - The Miami Heat made a coaching change on Monday,
as Pat Riley stepped down and was replaced by assistant Erik Spoelstra.
Riley, elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year, will remain
the team's president.
"I'm officially retired," Riley said Monday at a news conference. "I do want
to continue in basketball. Today, I think the move we are going to make is in
the best interests of the Heat."
Spoelstra has spent 13 seasons with the Heat, the first two as a video
coordinator under Riley. He ascended to an assistant ... More...
Dorell Wright is making good progress as he recovers from early March surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, the Miami Herald reports. The 22-year-old swingman is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but signs point to him returning to Miami. Wright remains roughly a month away from returning to basketball activities.
Our View:Wright was just starting to step into a bigger role when he injured his knee on March 2. Shawn Marion and Dwyane Wade will be the Heat's leaders in 2008-09, but there's a sizable void behind those stars. There's a spot for Wright to step into a No. 3-like role if he can get healthy and progress as hoped.
Dwyane Wade is on to the next phase of his left knee rehab program. He began working in Chicago on Monday and is hoping to receive clearance to play for Team USA in June, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. "We want to have him where he needs to be when it comes time to resume playing with USA Basketball," trainer Tim Grover says.
Our View:The report didn't provide details on Wade's latest rehab steps. He has played only 51 games in each of the last two seasons, and Wade's fantasy stock is in limbo until we know how healthy he'll be before the 2008-09 season.
Dwyane Wade is aiming to play for Team USA in this summer's Olympics. He has yet to do any rehab on his left knee, which didn't allow him to take the court after March 8. Wade plans to begin working out on May 5, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. The pre-Olympics mini-camp begins on June 27.
Our View:Wade would help his 2008-09 fantasy value if he's able to suit up this summer. We're still going to have concerns about his future chances to ever log more than 70-75 games in a season, though.
