The Knicks issued a statement yesterday denying they were
"on the verge" of an agreement to allow the Heat to hire Pat
Riley. A source told NEWSDAY's Barbara Barker that the Knicks
"have proof Riley talked to the Heat while he was still employed
as the Knicks coach." Barker adds, "There's strong speculation
the Knicks believe their proof is so strong that they are
unwilling to cut a deal. There is a possibility that a Riley
memo exists detailing his employment demands." NBA Commissioner
David Stern is expected to settle the matter within a week
(NEWSDAY, 8/24). In this morning's N.Y. POST, Jay Greenberg
writes that Stern "acts as if he would rather have a dentist's
drill tamper with his teeth than have to make a call on this
one." Greenberg also calls MSG President Dave Checketts'
statement "just part of the posturing leading up to an eventual
settlement or a thinly veiled plea to Stern to start cracking
some heads privately so he doesn't have to crack knuckles
publicly" (N.Y. POST, 8/24). In Miami this morning, Barry
Jackson writes, "while Stern could fine the Heat or make Miami
give the Knicks draft choices, it seems unlikely he could force
the Knicks to release Riley. ... Stern also may believe it is in
the league's best interest if Riley is coaching this year" (MIAMI
HERALD, 8/24).
