Pat Riley, the legendary coach and executive, recently weighed in on LeBron James’ infamous “Not 1, Not 2, Not 3…” speech during his appearance on The OGs Podcast. The moment, which took place during the Miami Heat’s introductory event for their newly formed Big Three—LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh—in 2010, became a defining statement that set the tone for their championship aspirations.
“I think it’s great. It’s it’s become like almost like a wrestling finishing move now. Now I’m like, I want it.Now, when he went up four in 25 seconds, I was like, do it, do the night night, do it! It’s great.”
“I just feel like LeBron must be furious that he didn’t think of this. Like, he’s probably fired his quirk management, whoever the guy is on his team. It’s like, how did you not give me the night night? I would have been doing that in like 2013. You guys were supposed to come up with ideas like this for me. Why don’t I have the night-night?”
Riley, who has seen his share of bold proclamations and high-pressure situations, expressed full support for LeBron’s comments, explaining that they reflected the passion and excitement of the moment.
Riley drew a parallel to his own experience in 1987 when his Los Angeles Lakers, coming off their fourth championship, were celebrated as one of the greatest teams of all time. At the victory parade, Riley made a bold guarantee: the Lakers would win again the following year.
Dwyane Wade, who has previously discussed the infamous moment, provided a humorous perspective on The OGs podcast. Wade admitted that he was caught off guard by LeBron’s confidence but respected his ambition.
The “Not 1, Not 2, Not 3…” speech, while criticized at the time, has since become an iconic moment in NBA history, encapsulating the Heat’s dominance during their four-year stretch with James, Wade, and Bosh. The Heat reached the NBA Finals every year from 2011 to 2014, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
Pat Riley’s support for LeBron’s bold proclamation reflects his understanding of what it takes to inspire greatness in a team. While the speech may have added pressure, it ultimately set the stage for one of the most successful and electrifying runs in NBA history. Both Riley’s and Wade’s reflections highlight the determination, humor, and camaraderie that defined that era.
