Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 12, 1990 TAG: 9006120446
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE: INGLEWOOD, CALIF. LENGTH: Medium
Riley denied he had been forced out or that he had quit because of a fractured relationship with his players.
"This is something I've decided I have to do, something I want to do," Riley said at a news conference in the Forum as the Brooklyn-born, 36-year-old Dunleavy sat nearby.
Officials at NBC, which takes over NBA coverage next season, have talked with Riley about his becoming an analyst for the network.
Riley, however, said, "I have nothing secured, no immediate plan to pursue."
Riley said that 10 days ago, he and Dr. Jerry Buss, the Lakers owner, had "concluded in a mutual decision that I would step aside" and that they soon would "re-define my future relationship with the Lakers."
Buss praised Riley as a man who had "totally and thoroughly reached down for the last drop of energy" to help the team achieve dominance in the 1980s.
He would not comment on the status of the two years remaining on Riley's contract.
The owner, sources said last week, became upset this spring when a $1 million-a-year contract extension was offered during an informal dinner meeting with Riley and "was left on the table" by Riley.
Riley, 45, had coached the Lakers since the dismissal of Paul Westhead in November 1981.
The Lakers won four of their five championships of the 1980s under Riley. This season he was selected the NBA coach of the year - the first time he had ever received the honor - but the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Phoenix Suns in five games in the Western Conference semifinals.
"Deep down inside, there are a lot of things I want to pursue in my life," Riley said Monday, glancing at his wife, Chris. "We are a young family."
For months, he added, he had been "taking inventory of what's important in life."
Adoptive parents of two children, both still of pre-school age, the Rileys have expressed interest in Amnesty International and causes involving drug-abuse prevention and help for the homeless.
Riley also is a highly sought and richly paid motivational speaker for major corporations.
"Coaching is tough; there's a lot of pressure," he said, "and the way I handled it was . . . to take total responsibility and it just sort of consumes your life. I got to the point where I wasn't enjoying it like I did. Maybe I need some time off to realize what I want to do. I need time now."
Riley became upset last month when some players made known their displeasure at a pair of outbursts by the coach.
"Families change, relationships change, but I had nothing but good relationships with all my players, to the final day," Riley said. "That's not why this day has come."
The Lakers had been driven by Riley to achieve the best regular-season record - 63-19 - giving them the homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. Then, after dispatching Houston in the first round, the Lakers were eliminated by the Suns.
The Lakers' elimination was the earliest since 1981 when a Houston guard named Mike Dunleavy made a last-minute jumper.
Dunleavy played his college ball at South Carolina, then played for Philadelphia, San Antonio, Houston and Milwaukee before retiring in 1985.
by CNB