How did Pat Riley influence Chris Bosh’s 2010 free agency decision? An ‘06 championship ring
The Big 3 recruitment is the stuff of legends.
From the escalation to three star pairings to LeBron James’ ghosting in the days leading up to The Decision, the 2010 offseason was certainly one to remember.
With the 10-year anniversary of LeBron’s decision around the corner, even more tantalizing story lines have emerged. One of the best involves Chris Bosh somehow landing a 2006 Miami Heat championship ring.
As Bosh tells it, the Heat’s pitch was rather simple. The Heat emphasized its ability to get three stars at a time when all other teams banked on only getting two. Then Pat Riley pulled out the big guns: a small velvet carpet and a small velvet bag, according to ESPN.
“Pat brought his rings out. It looked just like a Crown Royal bag,” Bosh told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “He puts it down, like boom. Big boy talk. When he ended the meeting, Pat gave me a 2006 Heat championship ring.”
“Take it. Keep it. Give it back to me when you win one,” Riley said to Bosh, according to ESPN.
On the surface, that doesn’t seem like too big of a deal. Teams sometimes hand out replica rings to people close to the organization like season ticket-holders. But this is Patrick James Riley we’re talking about. Mr. Suave. The NBA’s Gordon Gekko. Do you really think he’s out here handing out replica rings?
Furthermore, if Riley’s out here loaning out knockoffs, ask yourself this: why does Bosh still have it?
“I still haven’t given it back,” Bosh said. “I wonder if he even remembers that. I think I mentioned it once, like, ‘Yo, do you want that ring back?’ And he said, ‘What are you talking about?’ And I kept it moving.”
Though the ring paled in comparison to the Heat’s promises of pairing him with LeBron and Dwyane Wade, there’s no way that Riley’s gift didn’t ignite something in Bosh. The big man would go on to play his final six seasons in Miami, winning two rings of his own while averaging 18 points and seven rebounds. Blood clots prematurely ended his career, but his impact on the franchise was undeniable as the Heat retired his No. 1 jersey in 2019
This story was originally published June 29, 2020 at 12:09 PM.
