When Miami Heat President Pat Riley said that he would consider a return to the sidelines if a free agent asked him to, people – including me – began to speculate about whether or not the Hall-of-Fame coach would come downstairs. When Riley pulled off arguably the biggest free agency coup in NBA history by acquiring LeBron James and Chris Bosh while retaining Dwyane Wade, the speculation only increased. Yet Riley remains steadfast in asserting that he will not return.

I actually wrote on this Web site that Riley will be back to coach Miami this season. And although James may have been the only free agent with the clout and credentials to ask Riley to coach the Heat, I would be shocked if Riley forces current coach Erik Spoelstra to resign, what some think he did to Stan Van Gundy five years ago.

During the 2005-06 season, the Heat got off on the wrong foot, winning just 11 of its first 21 games. Riley stepped in as the coach after Van Gundy resigned to spend more time with his family. Two years later, Van Gundy agreed to coach the Orlando Magic, fueling speculation that Riley forced Van Gundy out, especially considering that former Heat center Shaquille O'Neal called Van Gundy “the master of panic.”

Riley gave Van Gundy the entire 2004-05 year to win a title. After Riley drastically retooled the roster during the '05 summer, Riley knew that the Heat wouldn't have a long championship run. O'Neal, Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning were all in their mid-30s; meanwhile, Antoine Walker and Jason Williams faced criticism throughout their entire careers due to their dubious shot-selection. Riley took over as coach because he felt a sense of urgency that his team would not have a long championship-contending run; conversely, the Los Angeles Lakers have now made three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals.

Every member of the Heat's projected starting lineup of Mario Chalmers, Wade, James, Bosh and Joel Anthony have not celebrated their 30^th birthday yet. Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem – the team's two most valuable assets off the bench – are just 30 and still have a few solid seasons left in them. This core could stay roughly intact for the next six years if Miami wins championships. With this squad, no sense of urgency exists for Riley to go back to the sidelines. Wade, James and Bosh each have early termination options after the fourth year of their contracts; as long as the Heat wins at least two of the next four championships, they should stay.

Riley staying upstairs does not necessarily mean that Spoelstra's job is safe. If he makes some crucial mistakes during the playoffs and doesn't deliver a championship by the second year, Spo could go. He could bring in someone like Doc Rivers, who played for Riley when he was a New York Knick. Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski even said that Riley envisions Rivers coaching the Heat one day. Rivers certainly has the qualifications, considering he managed to win a title with the Boston Celtics' own Big Three two years ago and defeated the Lakers, the team to beat this year. Spoelstra may be fired, but Riley won't think that he has to return to the sidelines with such a young nucleus. He came down because the 2006 team had one chance to win a roster, and he was the man for the job.

Keep in mind that Riley is also 65 years old. Phil Jackson is just six months younger than Riley and called this season his “last stand.” Riley already won five rings as a coach and one as an assistant coach; his coaching legacy is already cemented. The man who took the helm of the Heat in the summer of 1995 went all-in during the 2010 free agency bonanza because this moment could be his last stand. Coach Slick probably sees himself constructing one more dynasty and then retiring for good on a high note. He was truly the only winner of the off-season; Chicago and New York only got consolation prices. Riley now has a chance to end his long, illustrious basketball career as one of the greatest coaches and one of the greatest executives in the history of the NBA.

If Wade, James and Bosh all stay for six years, Riley may retire before they play their last games in Heat uniforms. He most likely won't retire if Miami wins the 2011 championship, but if the Heat wins in, say, 2013, he just might. My guesses as to who he will leave with the job as President? He'll either give it to Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager Andy Elisburg, who was a part of the Heat's contingency when it met with free agents in July, Vice President of Basketball Operations Nick Arison or Vice President of Player Programs Alonzo Mourning.

Even if Miami struggles early in the regular season, I expect Riley to only play a larger behind-the-scenes role and mentor Spoelstra more. If he makes late-game mistakes in the playoffs that amount to detestable offenses, he could bring in Rivers. But Riley won't coach.

Haslem's Mother Dies

Recently re-signed power forward Udonis Haslem currently mourns the death of her mother, Debra, after a long battle with cancer. I'd like to send out my thoughts and condolences to Haslem and his family, and hope you do too.

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