James Riley Popular Books
James Riley Biography & Facts
Patrick James Riley (born March 20, 1945) is an American professional basketball executive, former coach, and former player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has been the team president of the Miami Heat since 1995, and he also served as the team's head coach from 1995 to 2003 and again from 2005 to 2008. Often referred to as "The Godfather", Riley is regarded as one of the greatest NBA figures of all time both as a coach and executive. He has won five NBA championships as a head coach, four with the Los Angeles Lakers during their Showtime era in the 1980s and one with the Heat in 2006. Riley is a nine-time NBA champion across his tenures as a player (1972), assistant coach (1980), head coach (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006), and executive (2012, 2013). Since the start of his career in the NBA, Riley has appeared in 25 percent of all NBA Finals in history over his span as player, coach, and executive. Riley was named NBA Coach of the Year three times (1989–90, 1992–93 and 1996–97, as head coach of the Lakers, New York Knicks and Heat, respectively). He was head coach of an NBA All-Star Game team nine times: eight times with the Western Conference team (1982, 1983, 1985–1990, all as head coach of the Lakers) and once with the Eastern team (1993, as head coach of the Knicks). He is the first North American sports figure to win a championship as a player, as an assistant coach, as a head coach, and as an executive, and in various roles has reached the NBA finals in six different decades. In 1996, he was named one of the 10 Greatest Coaches in NBA history. Riley most recently won the 2012 and 2013 NBA championships with the Heat as their team president. He received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award from the NBA Coaches Association on June 20, 2012. Early life Riley was born in Rome, New York and raised in Schenectady. He is the son of Mary Rosalia (Balloga) and Leon Riley, who played 22 seasons of minor league baseball as an outfielder and first baseman, and appeared in four games for the 1944 Philadelphia Phillies. Riley played basketball for Linton High School in Schenectady under head coach Walt Przybylo and assistants Bill Rapavy and Ed Catino. Linton High School's 74–68 victory over New York City's Power Memorial on December 29, 1961, is remembered mostly for its two stars: Power Memorial's Lew Alcindor (who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Riley, who would go on to coach Abdul-Jabbar with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 1991, Riley called it "one of the greatest games in the history of Schenectady basketball." College career Riley played college basketball for four seasons for the Kentucky Wildcats—one on the freshman team and three on the varsity. As a junior on the 1965–66 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, he was named First Team All-SEC, All-NCAA Tournament Team, NCAA Regional Player of the Year, SEC Player of the Year and AP Third Team All-American, leading the Wildcats to the 1966 NCAA title game. Coached by Adolph Rupp, UK lost to Texas Western (today's UTEP), a game that was reenacted in the movie Glory Road. In his senior year, Riley made First Team All-SEC, becoming one of the few players in storied Kentucky basketball history to be named First Team All-SEC twice. Professional career San Diego Rockets (1967–1970) Riley was selected by the San Diego Rockets as the seventh overall pick of the 1967 NBA draft. Despite the fact that he had not played college football, Riley was also drafted as a wide receiver by the Dallas Cowboys in the 11th round of the 1967 NFL Draft. After playing three seasons with the Rockets, he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1970 NBA expansion draft. Los Angeles Lakers (1970–1975) The Blazers traded Riley to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played for five seasons. Riley played a significant role as a reserve on the Lakers' 1972 NBA Championship team. Phoenix Suns (1975–1976) During the 1975–76 NBA season, Riley was traded to the Phoenix Suns. He retired in 1976, having averaged 7.4 points per game over his nine seasons in the league. Coaching and executive career (1979–present) Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1990) Riley returned to the NBA in 1977 as a broadcaster for the Lakers. In November 1979, after the team's head coach, Jack McKinney, was injured in a near-fatal bicycle accident, assistant coach Paul Westhead took over the team's head coaching duties and hired Riley as an assistant coach. With rookie guard Magic Johnson and longtime star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the 1980 NBA Finals, giving Westhead and Riley championship rings in their first year coaching the team. However, the team lost in the playoffs the next year to the Moses Malone-led Houston Rockets. Six games into the 1981–82 season, Magic Johnson said he wished to be traded because he was unhappy playing for Westhead. Shortly afterward, Lakers' owner Jerry Buss fired Westhead. At an ensuing press conference, with Jerry West at his side, Buss named West head coach. West, however, balked, and Buss awkwardly tried to name West as "offensive captain" and then named West and Riley as co-coaches. West made it clear during the press conference that he would only assist Riley, and that Riley was the head coach. Thereafter, Riley was the interim head coach, until his status became permanent. Riley ushered in the Lakers' "Showtime" era, along with superstar players Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar with their running game. Riley became a celebrity in his own right, a fashion icon for his Armani suits and slicked-back hair which complemented the team's Hollywood image. Besides using Lakers' up-tempo style established by McKinney and Westhead, Riley was also innovative on defense; he was one of the first coaches to employ a 1-3-1 half-court trap to pick up the pace of the game. Though the Showtime Lakers were known for their offense, they won championships with their defense. In Michael Cooper, they had one of the top defensive guards in the game. The league-wide perception was that the Lakers played with finesse and were not physical enough to win in the playoffs. Riley's mantra was "no rebounds, no rings", reinforcing the need to fight for rebounds in order to win championships. Riley led the Lakers to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances. His first title came in his first season, against the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams returned to the Finals the next year, and this time Riley's Lakers, hobbled by injuries to Norm Nixon, Bob McAdoo and rookie James Worthy, were swept by the 76ers. The Lakers lost in the Finals again in 1984, to the Boston Celtics in seven games. The Lakers earned Riley his second NBA title in 1985 in a rematch of the previous year, as the Lakers beat the Celtics in six games. The Lakers' four-year Western Conference streak was broken the following year by the Houston Rockets. In 1987, Riley coached a Lakers team that is considered one of the best .... Discover the James Riley popular books. Find the top 100 most popular James Riley books.
Best Seller James Riley Books of 2024
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In the Blood
Jack Carr“Take my word for it, James Reece is one rowdy motherfer. Get ready!” Chris Pratt, star of the #1 Amazon Prime series The Terminal ListThe #1 New York Times bestselling Terminal Li...
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Accidental Hero
Matt MykluschFans of Brandon Mull and James Riley will love this middle grade fantasy trilogy about a regular kid who discovers that the truth about his past could be the answer to saving the f...
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The Ever Storms
Amanda FoodyBarclay and his friends find new dangers and fresh adventure when they encounter mysterious sandstorms in the Desert in this “engaging, dragon lover’s fantasy” (School Library Jour...
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The Weeping Tide
Amanda FoodyBarclay and his friends must save an island city from the Legendary Beast of the Sea in this “charming and earnest” (Kirkus Reviews) sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Ac...
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The Hotel Between
Sean Easley“Magic and mystery draw you [in]…Can I make a reservation yet?” James Riley, New York Times bestselling author of the Story Thieves series “A wild ride across the globe, full of fu...
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Olympic Pride, American Prejudice
Deborah Riley Draper, Blair Underwood & Travis ThrasherIn this “mustread for anyone concerned with race, sports, and politics in America” (William C. Rhoden, New York Times bestselling author), the inspirational and largely unknown tru...
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Secret Origins
James RileyBethany travels to a new fictional world to rescue her father in this third book in the New York Times bestselling series, Story Thieveswhich was called a “fastpaced, actionpacked ...
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My Mamma Mia Summer
Annie RobertsonEscape to Greece for sunshine, music, laughter and a sprinkling of romance.... The feelgood novel you need in 2021!One summer... One dream... One chance to make it happen.Laurel ha...
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Bay of Secrets
Rosanna LeyThe #1 Kindle Bestseller returns with a gorgeous summer read about romance, family and the secrets we keep from those we love.'The perfect holiday companion' Heat'The ultimate fee...
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Blood in the Garden
Chris HerringINSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A SELECTION ON BARACK OBAMA’S SUMMER READING LISTThe definitive history of the 1990s New York Knicks, illustrating how Pat Riley, Patrick Ewing, J...
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The Last Enforcer
Charles OakleyIn this “incredible read on some incredible days and nights in the old association” (Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN senior NBA insider) Charles Oakleyone of the toughest and most loyal p...
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The Children on the Hill
Jennifer McMahonFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Drowning Kind comes a genredefying novel, inspired by Mary Shelley’s masterpiece Frankenstein, that brilliantly explores the eerie...
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The Secrets of Hawthorn Place
Jenni Keer'This is definitely up there as one of the best books that I have read. It's got a special place in my heart. Just amazing!' 5 reader review'Gorgeous! Exuberant writing, convincing...
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The Revenge of Magic
James Riley“Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan.” BooklistWhen longdead magical creatures are discovered all around the world, each buried with a book of magic, only children can unlock the dang...
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My Sardinian Summer
Michaël UrasA laughoutloud, poignant and uplifting ode to the simple pleasure and small joys in life. Perfect for fans of Gail Honeyman, Rosanna Ley and Ruth Hogan."A lovely feelgood story" Li...
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A Merry Mistletoe Wedding
Judy AstleyWith unforgettable characters, charming romance and lots of laughter, A Merry Mistletoe Wedding is a gorgeous Christmas read from muchloved and everpopular author Judy Astley. Perf...
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Debutantes
Charlotte BinghamFans of Louise Douglas, Dinah Jefferies and Bridgerton will love this wonderfully evocative and enthralling romantic saga by the million copy and Sunday Times bestselling author Ch...
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Six Degrees of Paris Hilton
Mark EbnerIn the burgeoning Hollywood club scene, where ecstasy dealers dine alongside celebrities, and illicit money bubbles up from below like the La Brea Tar Pits, a handsome doublemurder...
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Worlds Apart
James RileyOwen and Bethany try to find their way back to each other after the fictional and nonfictional worlds are torn apart in this fifth and final book in the New York Times bestselling ...
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Only the Dead
Jack CarrLongburied secrets. A devastating global conspiracy. And only one man who can stop it: Navy SEAL James Reece. From the “seriously good” (Lee Child) #1 New York Times bestselling au...
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Nanny
Charlotte BinghamPowerful and heartwrenching; fans of Louise Douglas, Dinah Jefferies and Kristin Hannah will love this Edwardian saga by the million copy and Sunday Times bestselling author Charlo...
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Skeletons on the Zahara
Dean King -
The Right Thing
Judy AstleyLet bestselling author Judy Astley sweep you away with this insightful and uplifting gem of a novel about the important things in life. Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Milly John...
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Seven For A Secret
Judy AstleyIf you like Jenny Colgan, Milly Johnson and Trisha Ashley, you will love this brilliantly funny romantic comedy buzzing with speculation and scandal from bestselling author Judy As...
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The Accidental Apprentice
Amanda FoodyA New York Times bestseller!A boy who accidentally bonds with a magical Beast must set off on an adventure in the mysterious Woods in this “wholesome, delightful” (Kirkus Reviews, ...
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The House Of Flowers
Charlotte BinghamFans of Louise Douglas, Dinah Jefferies and Kristin Hannah will love this uplifting and moving wartime saga by the million copy and Sunday Times bestselling author Charlotte Bingha...
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The Staycation
Michele Gorman'Perfect summer reading!' Bella OsborneTwo families. One cancelled flight. And a last minute house swap...Things get desperate for strangers Harriet and Sophie when they become st...
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The Season
Charlotte BinghamAn immensely readable drama of period society that you WILL NOT be able to put down. Authored by the million copy and Sunday Times bestselling author Charlotte Bingham, perfect for...
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All My Lies
Sophie Flynn'Perfectly paced, suspenseful and gripping a real pageturner' SOPHIE HANNAH, author of Haven't They Grown 'A rollercoaster ride with a cast of flawed characters an exce...
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The Wedding Party
Cathy KellyTHE NUMBER ONE IRISH BESTSELLER! 'A burst of warmth and wit, twists and turns' MARIAN KEYES on Other Women 'Warm, believable women with real, messy lives' RACHEL HORE on Other Wome...
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Apartment 3B
Patricia ScanlanTHE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR Luxurious, expensive Apartment 3B is for sale. Many want it, only one can buy it. Its owner, Liz Lacey, successful artist and darling of the jet...
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Golden
Marcus ThompsonThe #1 national bestseller and inside story of Steph Curry, the greatest shooter basketball has ever seen.Golden is the first book to provide an allaccess look at Steph Curry and t...
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Survival Guide for the Modern Drummer
Jim RileyIf you are a drummer looking to expand your knowledge of musical styles, Survival Guide for the Modern Drummer is the book for you. From pop to country, metal to jazz, and Latin to...
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The Love Child
Rachel HoreThe UNMISSABLE novel from the millioncopy Sunday Times bestseller. Secrets from the past, unravelling in the present… Uncovering secrets that span generations, Rache...
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No Road Home
John Fram“A grand gothic story as enthralling as it is terrifying.” S. A. Cosby, New York Times bestselling author A young father must clear his name and protect his queer son when his weal...
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The Night Compass
Amanda FoodyBarclay and his friends race to find a legendary beast in the Wilderlands before their enemy in this actionpacked fourth book in the New York Times bestselling Wilderlore series.As...
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The Lonely Wife
Val WoodDon't miss the sequel to The Lonely Wife! Children of Fortune is available nowA powerful story about a woman's struggle to claim what is rightfully hers, from the Sunday Times best...
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My Darling Girl
Jennifer McMahonFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Children on the Hill, a psychological thriller “that delivers both chilling scares and genuine emotion” (Chandler Baker, New York ...
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Pick the Plot
James RileyReaders choose what happens when Owen finds himself stuck in a Pick Your Own Plot story, in this fourth book in the New York Times bestselling series, Story Thieveswhich was called...
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Daughters Of Eden
Charlotte BinghamA riveting story of love and loss set in wartime Britain from the million copy and Sunday Times bestselling author Charlotte Bingham, for fans of Louise Douglas and Dinah Jefferies...
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Other Women
Cathy KellyDon't miss the stunning new novel from Cathy Kelly about sisterhood, love & friendship The Wedding Party is available to preorder now!'A burst of warmth and wit, twists and tu...
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It Must Have Been the Mistletoe
Judy AstleyLet muchloved and everpopular author Judy Astley gift you an unmissable, hilarious and heartwarming read this Christmas. Perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Trisha Ashley, Jenny Colg...
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Excess Baggage
Judy AstleyLet bestselling author Judy Astley sweep you away with this insightful, uplifting and hilarious novel where a family holiday turns into more of a torment than a treat... Perfect fo...
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Half Upon a Time
James RileyIn this hilarious fractured fairy tale series from New York Times bestselling author James Riley, Jack, and “punk princess” May must navigate twists and turns unlike anything you’v...
