Pat Riley says his messy Knicks exit was one of the lowest points of his life: "I deserved all of that"

A stalwart in every sense, Pat Riley will soon complete six decades in the NBA. During this period, the 80-year-old has donned several hats, from a shooting guard to a coach to an executive. Nonetheless, he managed to carve out a name for himself in every role he took on.

Nonetheless, Riley also had his share of debacles and setbacks. One prominent case was his falling out with the New York Knicks despite a successful run. Post a semi-finals exit to the Indiana Pacers in 1995, Pat caused a stir in the league and the media with his faxed resignation.

The surprising departure resulted from failed contract negotiations between Riley and former President Dave Checketts. According to reports, the former Showtime Lakers coach was initially offered a five-year, $15 million deal, which stood nowhere close to his demands.

Sources suggested that Riley wanted a deal ranging between $40-$50 million, coupled with a 25 percent ownership stake. He had also been communicating simultaneously with Miami Heat owner, Mickey Arison, who seemed more receptive to the exorbitant demands.

Ultimately, choosing the better offer, Riley finalized a $40 million, ten percent ownership deal with the Heat. A decision that created a serious rift between the Hall of Famer and the Knicks organization. Many years later, during a 2019 interview with Dan Le Batard, the Top 15 coach of all time acknowledged he could have handled the situation better.

“The Knicks was a fiasco, okay, it’s my fault, I regret you know torturously interfering to get myself out of a contract and getting out of New York for whatever the reasons were, but from the time I left the Knicks to the time I went back to the first game it was probably one of the worst times of my life publicly as far as getting criticized and being called names being called out and and probably I deserved all of that,” Riley told the former Miami Herald writer.

He also spoke about receiving death threats. Thus, when it was time to return to New York, tensions were running high.

The hostility at the Garden

Coach Riley was well aware of the passionate fan base in New York. Thus, the veteran coach expected to receive a fair share of jeering and heckling once he began making his way to the Garden. No surprises, Pat was subjected to a barrage of boos from the fans.

Making things even more challenging for Riles was playing with a depleted roster due to a series of injuries. As most had predicted, the Heat lost 70-89 to the Knicks. But one of the biggest talking points of the night was Pat taking center court to greet the fans with a bow.

“I was gonna make a left and go right to the bench and just sit down neatly, but instead I walked to center court. I don’t know what made me do it,” he laughed.

Despite the fractured relationship with the Knicks, one cannot deny that he helped bring the franchise back into championship contention.

Knicks report card

Pat began his coaching stint with the Knicks during the 1991-92 season, securing the fourth seed in the East in his first year. After being swept by the Chicago Bulls in the previous playoffs, the Coach Riley-led crew would push the defending champions to the brink of elimination.

Though they lost Game 7, they still had some positives to take away. The following season, 1992-93, Pat would tie the franchise record for most regular-season wins at 60. But the Bulls once again spoiled the party for the Knicks, this time in the Eastern Conference finals.

Heading into the 1994-95 season, Pat had his best chance with MJ on a basketball hiatus. The Knicks indeed utilized the window. Making the 1994 Finals, the Knicks fell to the Houston Rockets in seven games. The Knicks faced another disappointing exit in the 1995 playoffs, as the Indiana Pacers sent them home in the East semis.

In his four seasons with the franchise, he posted a 223-105 record, for a win percentage of 68. While the Knicks may still despise him, the truth is that they haven’t been to the Finals since 1994. But Riley has led the Heat to three championships and multiple Finals appearances.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Pat Riley says his messy Knicks exit was one of the lowest points of his life: “I deserved all of that”

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