NBA Rumors: 5 reasons Kevin Durant signs with the Miami Heat

By John Buhler | Jun 27, 2016

Jan 17, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) pursued Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) around a screen set by Oklahoma City center Steven Adams (12) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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July 11 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley fields a question from a reporter during a press conference at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Pat Riley

When Pat Riley walks into the room, he immediately becomes the smartest guy in said room. He’s what we call a basketball lifer. From his days as a starter for the SEC powerhouse Kentucky Wildcats to winning championships as a player, head coach, and now executive, Riley epitomizes basketball excellence.

Many questioned why Riley left the New York Knicks in the 1990s to go work with a middling Eastern Conference team still finding itself after being an expansion team in Miami. Now Riley has been at the forefront in making the Heat a top five organization all-time. Three championships in 11 years will certainly do that for an organization.

Riley was a huge factor behind James’ reasoning to take his talents to South Beach in 2010 NBA free agency. In all fairness, it was friction between Riley and James that caused James to return to the Cavaliers in 2014 NBA free agency.

Since the 1960s, Riley has been part of championship caliber organizations. Now in his 70s, Riley is still capable of putting together a great team around Durant should he come to Miami. Durant’s current general manager in Sam Presti has done a fine job of that in his own right, but Riley’s track record in coaching/team building speaks for itself.

Next: 1. Miami plays in the Eastern Conference.

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