SHOT OF THE WEEK

San Jose Earthquakes’ Jean Philippe Peguero, of Haiti, heads the ball in front of New York Red Bulls’ Kevin Goldthawite during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, April 27. The Red Bulls defeated the Earthquakes 2-0.

This time, Pat Riley insists he won’t come back.
The Hall of Fame coach stepped down from the Miami Heat sideline on Monday, although he’ll remain team president. His first act as Miami’s former coach was to choose its new one, and he hired Erik Spoelstra, a 37-year-old who started in the Heat video room in 1995 and now becomes the NBA’s youngest coach.
Riley retired once before, only to come back when Stan Van Gundy stepped down 21 games into the 2005-06 season, Miami’s championship campaign. Although he knows the perception exists that says otherwise, Riley insists he never wanted to return then — and won’t be talked into it one more time.

“I am definitely sure that I don’t want to do this anymore,” Riley said.
So now, after spending several days plotting the Heat’s next course, Riley’s past becomes Spoelstra’s future.
Riley was 36 when he first became a head coach, and like Spoelstra today, he didn’t have any experience either. His first off-the-court job in the NBA was traveling secretary for the Los Angeles Lakers, handling boarding passes. Spoelstra also was at the bottom of the Heat totem pole when starting out, making videos for the team Christmas party, but Riley is convinced he’s ready for the top job.
“It’s very rare to have the opportunity to work for one organization for your entire career like I have,” said Spoelstra, who was told the job was his Friday. “It means it’s a special organization.”
Miami finished with the NBA’s poorest record (15-67), by far the worst of Riley’s career. As president, Riley will continue overseeing the plan to revamp a franchise just two years removed from a championship, after deciding he’d best benefit the franchise from the front office.
Riley’s future was among Miami’s many offseason issues. The Heat could have the No. 1 pick in the draft, are assured a top-four pick and are certain to make moves in an effort to revamp a roster plagued by injuries.
“Pat Riley has instilled in me values that enabled me to win a championship in just three seasons,” Heat guard Dwyane Wade said Monday. “I’ve seen him do the necessary things to make us winners and I believe that with his focus on being president and his commitment to the team, we will once again become a contender.”
Wade has worked extensively with Spoelstra in practices and 1-on-1 sessions.
“I believe in Coach Spo and have complete confidence that our team will succeed with him at the helm,” Wade said.