MIAMI (AP) — Pat Riley stood in front of 20,000 people on Wednesday night. And they all seemed to be cheering as the Miami Heat officially dedicated their home court in his honor.
But when it was time to end his remarks and close the halftime celebration of “Pat Riley Court,” the Basketball Hall of Famer and team president was speaking to just one person — his wife, Chris.
“It will end here one day. And that stamp here and that stamp over there, that’s what it’s all about, sweetie," Riley said, pointing to the two spots on the court that now bear his signature and name. “We made it. We made it. I love you. Thank you.”
Plenty of former players — Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Mike Miller and Jamal Mashburn among them — came back for the celebration, and many others sent acknowledgements to Riley. Getting the court named for him was not his idea; Heat managing general partner Micky Arison told Riley of the move on Sept. 22, catching him completely by surprise.
"This is beyond even my imagination of a reward for a man's life's work," Riley said. “We are huge dreamers and Micky has made mine. It wasn't something I wanted or pursued, but I'm going to take it.”
Riley came to Miami in 1995 to become coach and team president. He stepped down from coaching twice — first in 2003, then again and for good in 2008 — but not before leading Miami to its first title in 2006.
When he gave up coaching for the final time, he promoted Erik Spoelstra to be his replacement. Spoelstra is entering Year 17 in the role.
“I just think it’s a really special moment, not only for myself but for so many of us in the building,” said Spoelstra, who — along with the rest of his coaches — wore Nike Cortez sneakers Wednesday as a tribute to Riley, who preferred them when he coached. “These years are going by fast; 30 years is just like a blink of an eye. He’s brought us all along on the ride and we’re forever grateful for that. He’s given us a blueprint to follow that leads to winning.”
The piece of the court that Riley got as a commemorative plaque read “On September 1, 1995, the future of the Miami Heat changed forever.” Alonzo Mourning, now a Heat vice president, was the first big-name player that Riley brought to South Florida.
“Coach, 30 years ago you welcomed me to this franchise with an open heart and a singular vision to host a championship parade down Biscayne Boulevard,” Mourning said. “And since our very first season here in Miami, you’ve done nothing but deliver on that vision again and again and again — with a blend of class and competitiveness that this game has never and will never witness again.”
Riley pointed out that he coached 188 players in his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York and Miami — more than 100 of them in his Heat days alone. He thanked them, thanked his staff, other executives, his family and more.
But it was his wife, who helped organize Wednesday's event, who was the centerpiece of his remarks over and over again. Riley even detailed how they met.
“I want to get this one right,” Riley said. "It was one summer night on a crowded mezzanine in San Diego and I saw perfect. The most beautiful woman ever, her flowered summer dress swaying softly as she walked towards me. Saw those hazel eyes and my heart leapt. ... I went for her like Udonis Haslem is going to go for a loose ball on that court right there."
The Heat even aired the clip of the private meeting where Arison told Riley that he and his son Nick, the team's CEO, decided that the court would bear his name. Riley looked shocked.
“Enjoy it,” Arison told Riley. “It's going to be there forever.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
The Miami Heat Dancers practice on the court before the start of an NBA basketball game between the Heat and the Orlando Magic, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Miami. To commemorate the start of Heat president Pat Riley's 30th season with the franchise, the Heat will unveil Pat Riley Court on Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison, left, poses with Heat president Pat Riley, second from left, and his family after celebrating Rily's 30th season with the franchise, the Heat unveiled Pat Riley Court during a halftime ceremony of an NBA basketball game between the Heat and the Orlando Magic, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
ASTON, Pa. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris plans to lay out her campaign's closing argument by returning to the site near the White House where Donald Trump helped incite a mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol in January 2021 — hoping it will crystalize for voters the fight between defending democracy and sowing political chaos.
Her campaign says Harris will give a speech at the Ellipse on Tuesday — one week before Election Day — and will urge the nation to “turn the page” toward a new era and away from Trump.
The site is symbolic, since it's where Trump delivered a speech on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress was convening to certify Joe Biden's victory in the election that past November. In it, Trump lied repeatedly about widespread voter fraud that had not occurred and urged supporters to fight. Hundreds then stormed the Capitol in a deadly riot.
Word of the speech came from a senior Harris campaign official who insisted on anonymity to discuss an address that is still in development. The Harris campaign is betting that her speaking at the Ellipse can provide an opportunity for the vice president to stress that the country no longer wants to be defined by a political combativeness that Trump seems to relish.
Trump has promised to pardon those jailed for their role in the Capitol attack should he reclaim the presidency during the election Nov. 5.
Her team announced the coming Ellipse addressed before Harris attended a CNN town hall in suburban Philadelphia on Wednesday night, where she took questions from an audience of undecided voters as part of what was once envisioned as a debate with Trump. Harris had said she would participate in a CNN debate but the two sides never worked out a formal agreement. CNN said it also invited Trump to a town hall. but that it didn’t happen.
Harris told the audience that the Jan. 6 attack saw a “president of the United States defying the will of the people in a free and fair election and unleashing a violent mob who attacked the United States Capitol.”
The first audience question was from a self-described “anti-Trump Republican” who was concerned about the Jan. 6 attack.
“I believe the American people deserve better, and they deserve a president who is focused on solutions, not sitting in the Oval Office plotting every day,” Harris said.
She also said Trump is “increasingly unstable and unfit to serve.” Asked directly if she thought her opponent was a fascist, Harris responded, "Yes, I do."
Harris was asked how her presidency would be different from Biden’s given that she’s been a part of his administration for nearly four years — a question she's answered in recent weeks without naming major contrasts. This time, Harris seemed better prepared to talk about how things would be different, saying, “My administration will not be a continuation of the Biden administration” and saying she represented a “new generation of leadership on a number of issues.”
“I’m pointing out things that haven’t been done that need to be done,” the vice president said of Biden’s policies, also noting, “I’m not going to shy away from saying, ‘Hey, these are still problems that we need to fix.’” She pointed specifically to her promises to increase federal grants for small businesses and to expand government funding for home health care to people caring for their elderly parents and children simultaneously.
When it comes to Jan. 6, about 4 in 10 likely voters in a CNN poll from September said the economy was their most important issue when deciding how to vote, and about 2 in 10 said protecting democracy was. That compared to about 1 in 10 who named either immigration or abortion and reproductive rights.
Protecting democracy also seems to be more important to Democrats and Harris supporters. Roughly 4 in 10 voters who back Harris call it their top issue, compared to about 2 in 10 who say that about the economy. For Republicans and Trump supporters, about 6 in 10 name the economy as their top voting issue, followed by immigration. Only 5% of Trump supporters said protecting democracy was their top issue.
Closing arguments are important opportunities for candidates to sum up their campaigns and make a concise case for why voters should back them.
Trump's campaign suggested he'd begin framing his closing argument while addressing a rally last weekend in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Instead, the former president spent more than 10 minutes talking about the genitals of the late, legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, who was born in Latrobe.
The townhall followed Harris greeting campaign volunteers at Philadelphia's Famous 4th Street Deli — a longtime haven for elected officials where the politics is probably more famous than the pastrami. She posed for selfies, and when one man cried, “We’re gonna win,” Harris responded, “We are.”
Later she was more superstitious while addressing the larger crowd, declaring, “Knock wood, God willing, we are going to win.”
Harris eventually signed an order sheet, then grabbed a to-go bag with a pastrami sandwich on rye and a slice of German chocolate cake.
__
Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Linley Sanders contributed to this report from Washington.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a CNN town hall in Aston, Pa., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, as moderator Anderson Cooper listens. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a CNN town hall in Aston, Pa., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris boards Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (Erin Schaff//The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to patrons at a campaign stop at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives on Air Force Two in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. Harris was greeted by from left, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker (green), Harris, Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., (black), and Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., (blue). (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives on Air Force Two in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, and is greeted by from left, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker (green), Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., (black), and Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., (blue). (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris leaves after speaking at the vice president's residence in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris talks to reporters aboard Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (Erin Schaff//The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris talks to reporters aboard Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (Erin Schaff//The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to patrons at a campaign stop at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris takes a selfie with a patron at a campaign stop at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, right, speaks to workers and patrons at a campaign stop at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, right, signs an autograph and speaks to workers and patrons at a campaign stop at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
