Riley issues challenge to Heat
Posted on Sat, Dec. 15, 2007
Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email
Trying to shake his team from its inconsistent play, coach Pat Riley drew an imaginary line in the middle of the floor before Friday's practice.
Then, he left the players with two choices.
''Coach said there's a fine line with this team right now,'' guard Dwyane Wade said. ``We can either take a step to the right and be a great team. Or, we can step to the left and be one of the worst teams in the league.''
Either way, the message was clear. The Heat (6-16) is at a pivotal moment in its season as it carries the Eastern Conference's worst record into Friday's game against the visiting Pacers.
Two confidence-building road wins against the Clippers and Suns were followed by Thursday's demoralizing home loss to the Wizards, which led Riley to take inventory of his team's confidence and faith on Friday.
''I'm fighting the fight of faith -- that the locker room is going to be OK, that the guys are going to play hard every night, that they're not going to lose their confidence,'' Riley said. ``The guys feel absolutely horrible that they're losing. They all have pride. . . . You just have to find a way to dig yourself out of it.''
• Riley said Jason Williams would remain the starting point guard, despite his inconsistency and the recent improved play of Chris Quinn.