Pat Riley Hard Quotations

We're caught between a rock and a hard place.

We played at a real high level again. Tremendous amount of energy, spirit and ball movement, but we didn't finish. That disturbs me and it should disturb our players after working so hard and playing so well.

You can't be happy with the whole disposition of our team in the second half, playing with a 20-point lead and not defending at all. We showed very little respect for all the hard work and good play. I'm happy we were able to win it at the end, but obviously we can't play like that.

We just had a hard time guarding the ball on the dribble.

I don't think he fights it. I really don't. It's a hard thing to do. But I do think everybody that I have coached that have gotten a little bit older, they realize in order to maintain in this league that they have to do something differently.

This is about an experienced, savvy, talented team which I believe we have taking advantage of the opportunities out there. But one thing they cannot neglect is just how hard (Chicago) is going to play and the kind of effort they're going to have to make to stay with them.

This is to see whether the two years, all the drill work and all the hard work have manifested itself into something positive for him. It should be something he should be eager to do.

It's almost a crossroads for me right now, to find the competitive warriors and the competitiveness of those guys will transcend the talent and reputation. I'm going to try to find the guys who are going to try to play the hardest and best in support of our two great players.

He has a little bit of a slow release on his jumper. He's got to get there quicker, be set a little quicker. ... People are closing on him pretty hard and making him put it on the floor.

That was a game situation. He's supposed to be on the court, but I had a hard time taking anybody off the court at that time, because we were down and then we went ahead by eight. As a coach, you're going to ride that lineup as long as you can.

We know he's a big-time tumbler. He goes hard to the basket. He hits the floor a lot. If he could play he'd be out there.

Eddie's always been the kind of guy coming off the bench with great energy, a real pure heart. It's hard to find guys like him.