Ranking Pat Riley's best draft picks

[Mars]

1. Bam
2. Wade
3. Mario

[SCHeat]

He's only had 2 picks in the top of the lottery and he's 1/2. That's about average.

Can't really judge him on 15-60 picks not working out because that is a crapshoot.

[dshearn]

This whole tread is about Beasley not working out.

There is no thread had Beas had his head screwed on straight.

[Flash4thewin]

This whole tread is about Beasley not working out.

There is no thread had Beas had his head screwed on straight.

The complete opposite, it's about knowing what type of player and culture you have and how to find the best fit. Beasley was to immature, Love would have been a disappointment here, Mayo may or may not have worked out here, Westbrook? I think it's fair to say we have put more effort into the draft than before and even with that we could still get better.

[dolphinatik]

a few of those picks had their best years with other teams. Sometimes we chase free agents like the grass is always greener on the other side when we have good players and let them go.

not to mention some of the picks listed were picks for other teams via trade not necessarily who we wanted for ourselves. Heat in general use to have some exciting drafts usually taking best available or best potential with many busts but still reaching for the stars. It wouldnt be awful to get back to that.

[Sign5]

Pat has always valued free-agency and big trades over the draft. He's always been about getting big-name players and its worked out very well for him and the Heat.

Randy Pfund deserves credit for the Wade pick, because Pat favored Chris Kaman, but Pat was reluctant about Beasley and was talked into taking him by Randy. (Should have taken Westbrook instead)

Imagine a team of Westbrook/Wade/LeBron/Bosh.

Greatest, and most athletic team of all time, probably.

This should be plastered. It was Pfund who really wanted Wade and convinced Riley.

He's still a goat-tier GM but dude isn't good at drafting.

[HeatFanLifer]

Does Pat Beverley count as a Riley draft pick?
Also, the jury is still out on Winslow. He could still become a great selection.

As for worst picks:
Dorrel Wright ahead of Jameer Nelson.
Chalmers ahead of Deandre Jordan.

I'm not going to hate on Riley for the Beasley pick. I too was a believer in him, but those two noted picks could have changed the franchise (and were two picks many on this message board wanted to make happen.)

A couple of other undrafted guys that I don't think were mentioned:
UD and Bruce Bowen.

[HIF]

Does Pat Beverley count as a Riley draft pick?
Also, the jury is still out on Winslow. He could still become a great selection.

As for worst picks:
Dorrel Wright ahead of Jameer Nelson.
Chalmers ahead of Deandre Jordan.

But without them maybe we don't win our titles, who knows.

[HeatFanLifer]

Does Pat Beverley count as a Riley draft pick?
Also, the jury is still out on Winslow. He could still become a great selection.

As for worst picks:
Dorrel Wright ahead of Jameer Nelson.
Chalmers ahead of Deandre Jordan.

But without them maybe we don't win our titles, who knows.

Don't disagree with that. On the flip side, that second finals series against the Mavs might have turned out different. Many people comment how the Heat could not guard Barea, but Tyson Chandler was able to outmuscle everyone. Having Jordan could have changed that outcome.

[HIF]

Does Pat Beverley count as a Riley draft pick?
Also, the jury is still out on Winslow. He could still become a great selection.

As for worst picks:
Dorrel Wright ahead of Jameer Nelson.
Chalmers ahead of Deandre Jordan.

But without them maybe we don't win our titles, who knows.

Don't disagree with that. On the flip side, that second finals series against the Mavs might have turned out different. Many people comment how the Heat could not guard Barea, but Tyson Chandler was able to outmuscle everyone. Having Jordan could have changed that outcome.

Again maybe you're right.

I'l always blame Lebron for that finals loss. What an ass. Give the ball to Wade and get out of the way.