Hall-of-Famers Shaquille O’Neal and Gary Payton weren’t in Miami long, but the pair did make an impact by helping the Heat win a title in 2006.
However, Shaquille O’Neal claims a behind-the-scenes strife between the two stars and head coach Pat Riley is why the Heat got rid of both players.
Shaquille O’Neal Blames Pat Riley For Departure From Miami Heat
Both players were on “NBA Rewind” with Ahmad Rashad, and Shaq said he believes their departures stemmed from both never listening to legendary Head Coach Pat Riley.
“They got rid of me and Gary in Miami because Gary and I were the only ones that didn’t listen to Pat,” O’Neal said. “So Pat would call the play, and Gary would be like, ‘I’m not running that. I’m throwing the ball to Shaq.”
Payton, towards the end of his career, admitted he was too old to run Pat Riley’s plays.
“It was too much, man. I ain’t got time to be, I’m 38 years old man, I ain’t got time to be running no plays, man. I got to run what I think that’s going to be okay, man. Give the big fella, man. If he wants to kick it to us we just gotta be ready to shoot.” Payton said.
Shaq lasted four seasons in Miami before being dealt to the Phoenix Suns in February 2008 for Marcus Banks and Shawn Marion.
At the time of the trade, the Miami Heat were a league-worst 9-37, and their relationship deteriorated to the point where both got into a face-to-face argument after Riley ordered point guard Jason Williams to leave practice after he showed up late. Shaq wanted out of Miami. Cince he was there to win championships and the Heat’s championship window was closed, what would have been the point of keeping an aging player like Shaq, who dealt with injuries in the back half of his career?
Gary Payton joined the Heat at the end of his career, so how many prime years did he have left? He signed a minimum-level contract to join the Heat and was brought on as a voice in the locker room and a veteran presence.
Not listening to Riley didn’t help him, but he went to Miami to win a ring, and he accomplished that. His NBA career was winding down, so he wouldn’t have been in Miami long.
Both sides got what they wanted: a championship. Despite their differences towards Riley, all three worked together to win Miami’s first title in franchise history.
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