Back to costumes? Erik Spoelstra and Doc Rivers include Pat Riley, but…

Sunday, Lakers discovered their own statue in honor Pat Riley and took the opportunity to call for the return of elegance to the NBA benches.

« I’d like to go back to the suit and tie ” he said, as the league relaxed its “dress code” for coaches starting in 2020. I think the public wants to see someone on the field who looks like a leader, dresses like a leader and acts like a leader. »

Behind the scenes, “The Godfather” does not miss the campaign for such a change and Erik Spoelstracoach from Heatof which Pat Riley is president, was the first to hear about it.

« Pat and I discuss this all the time… » he recognized it that way. « We went to the Hall of Fame together last summer for Mickey Arison and so I had to wear costumes two nights in a row. I swear that’s all Pat was talking about. He said to me, ‘Look, you look classy, ​​you look presentable,’ and I said, ‘I only went to buy them for the weekend, but I don’t plan on returning them until the next Hall of Fame we get invited to.’ »

What if they only impose themselves in the playoffs?

On the other hand, one man shares Pat Riley’s opinion: Doc Riverswho was his player for the Knicks in the 1990s. He even found a compromise to please everyone.

« It’s complicated, because zip-up sweaters are so comfortable. So easy to wear » he said first. ” I talked to someone about it though and I don’t think it would be a bad idea during the playoffs. We never travel for more than two matches and wearing the costumes in the playoffs would show the importance of the event. It would be easy to travel (with playoff costumes). So I would be all for this idea, even if I had to go back to sports, because no costume would fit me today. »

Last June, Rick Carlisle explained this to the coaches he didn’t want to go back to this imposed “dress code” on the bench. Which Erik Spoelstra understands, also aware that Pat Riley’s elegance was worth the detour at the time.

« I think as long as we look professional and stand out from the players, it’s fine. » he added. ” Anyway, things have evolved a bit today… But I also understand Pat’s point of view. Then, when I see pictures of him again, with the Lakers, the Knicks and the Heat, he looked great. But he wore costumes different from us, simple, mortal… We just didn’t look the same as him. It was that iconic Armani look. Also, he gave me costumes when I was an assistant, but I mostly looked like the leader of Talking Heads… I didn’t understand that costumes had to change. »