MIAMI _ Last weekend it was about Dwyane Wade, and deservedly so, an entire weekend celebrating the retirement of his No. 3 jersey.
Next up for the Miami Heat will be the No. 40 of Udonis Haslem and assuredly the No. 6 of LeBron James.
But there also is a milestone approaching that would make next season the perfect time for Micky Arison and the Heat to turn in a different direction.
And, yes, this decision would have to come from the Heat owner, because it couldn't come from Pat Riley.
Because it would be about Pat Riley.
On Sept. 1, 1995, Riley became president and coach of the Heat. The means a 25th anniversary is at hand, one that assuredly deserves more than a gold watch.
Riley has not been shy when it comes to commemorations. It is why not only are the numbers of Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Bosh and Wade retired, but there also is a banner for the 20 years of Heat service for former trainer Ron Culp, banners signifying Olympic gold from Heat players, and, yes, those jerseys elsewhere atop AmericanAirlines Arena of Michael Jordan and Dan Marino, as well.
In fact, if the Heat were to act, they would be the first to so honor Riley on the NBA level. For all their championship success, including their 11 championships in Los Angeles, the only coach honored with a banner by the Lakers is John Kundla, and that as part of a commemoration of the team's time in Minneapolis.
"Knowing Pat," Heat captain Udonis Haslem said, "he wouldn't want to deal with that. He'd tell you he's too busy building a championship.
"But one day, it should go up there. But if you asked him right now, he'd probably say no."
While Riley's lone championship as Heat coach came when he took over for Stan Van Gundy in midseason in 2005-06, raising Riley's name to the rafters would be about more than his twin tenures as Heat coach. It would be about making basketball matter in South Florida, instilling a culture so ingrained that it well could endure long beyond any homage paid to Riley.
"Obviously the players get a lot of credit for winning the championships," said Haslem, who has been with the team for 17 of Riley's seasons, "but it starts from the top.
"So definitely. I definitely think the success we've had and what we've been able to accomplish and where this organization has gone from when Pat first got here, he definitely deserves to go up in those rafters."
Such honors for enduring coaching and front-office institutions hardly are the NBA exception.
As far as coaches, the Boston Celtics retired No. 2 for Red Auerbach, the Denver Nuggets' No. 432 for Doug Moe, the Indiana Pacers No. 529 for Slick Leonard, the New York Knicks No. 613 for Red Holzman, the Portland Trail Blazers No. 77 for Jack Ramsay, the Utah Jazz No. 1 for Frank Layden and No. 1223 for Jerry Sloan, with a Minnesota Timberwolves banner for Flip Saunders and Phoenix Suns banners for Cotton Fitzsimmons and John MacLeod.
For the front office and ownership, the Detroit Pistons have banners for Jack McCloskey and Bill Davidson, the Houston Rockets for Carroll Dawson, the Pacers for Mel Simon, the Phoenix Suns for Jerry Colangelo, the Portland Trail Blazers for Harry Glickman, with the Chicago Bulls holding ceremonies to honor Phil Jackson and Jerry Krause.
With Riley, a banner honoring his 454 Heat regular-season wins or even his combined 489 regular-season and playoff wins with the team wouldn't tell the full stories of his Heat quarter century. Nor would a banner with a pen to commemorate signings of players such as James, Bosh and O'Neal, as well as the drafting of Wade.
"We'd have to put his suit, his hair gel, his tie and his shoes," Haslem said. "But how does he even get those shoes on, those tight shoes?"
And if it means his own moment would have to be put on hold, so be it, Haslem said.
"I mean there's no way he should have to wait until he retires," Haslem said. "They have active coaches in the Hall of Fame."
Of course, if there is a Riley ceremony it would create the need for an alternate emcee, with Riley having filled that role during the team's previous ceremonies.
"I'm always ready to speak," Haslem said with a smile. "You haven't noticed by now? I stay ready. I've got that gift of gab."
