Eddy Curry recalls meeting Pat Riley for the first time in Miami: “It was like a scene from a Godfather movie” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Before Eddy Curry finally ended a career that disappointed primarily because of health conditions, he was able to be part of and win a championship with the 2011-12 Miami Heat. Like every player who donned the Heat jersey, Curry’s first day on the job included a trip to team president Pat Riley‘s office inside the Heat facility.
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During his recent appearance on “The Bill Cartwright Show,” Eddy talked about how meeting Pat for the first time made him understand why they called him “The Godfather.”
“I remember going in and talking to Pat Riley when I got to Miami. And going into his office, and it just felt like a scene from ‘The Godfather.’ It was crazy. He had this big, beautiful office with glass windows overlooking the court. And it was just dark. And it was only light around his desk, like everywhere else was dark. You were just in the shadows, and you’re just watching him. And he’s got all his rings and stuff. And he’s got the hair, slicked back,” recalled Curry.
Eddy ended up in Miami after getting waived by Minnesota
Curry was the Chicago Bulls’ No.4 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft out of Thornwood High School in Illinois. The hometown boy was supposed to be paired with another lottery pick who went straight from high school, too, in Tyson Chandler. However, just as when his career started to pick up in 2004-05, when he led the Bulls in scoring, Eddy was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.
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Although he was cleared, Curry’s career was never the same again. He got traded to the New York Knicks in October 2005. The big man ended up playing five seasons in the Big Apple before he was dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the trade that brought Carmelo Anthony from the Nuggets to the Knicks. After Minnesota waived him, that’s when Eddy signed in Miami. And like every player who played in South Beach, he was left in awe when he came face-to-face with Riley.
“This is Pat Riley right in front of you, and I’m like, wow. He’s just the nicest guy ever. But he’s just calmly telling you just the culture, explaining to you what the expectations are and the gravity of the situation that you just signed on to be a part of,” added Curry.
B-Easy had a similar first impression of Riles
Last month, former Heat No.2 overall pick Michael Beasley also had a similar description of Riley during their first encounter. Per Beasley’s story, it was Riley who fetched him at the Miami airport when he flew in after the 2008 NBA Draft.
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“Pat Riley is one of the most gangster, just the smoothest person. I landed on a jet, and Pat Riley pulled up in a 47Mercury, matte black… no socks, slacks on, got hamburger meat out, with shades on, the slick back. He got the gold. Shorty’s smooth…Just smooth like a mob boss,” said Beasley in one breath.
Much was said against Riley about how he handled the Jimmy Butler drama in Miami. However, hearing stories from former players like Beasley and Curry gives you an idea of who Riles really was in person. Sure, some say he’s lost a step or two and his methods are old-style. However, Curry’s story is a reminder of how well-respected and revered Pat was during his heyday.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.