Miami Heat president and NBA coaching legend Pat Riley has addressed Kyle Lowry in his end-of-the-season media session. Riley said that Kyle Lowry has to be in “world-class shape” next season.
“The bottom line with me and for me as far as hoping that you can get the most out of a player — is that you got to be in world-class shape. You just have to be,” Riley said.
“I’m not saying when he was younger he wasn’t in the kind of condition that he was in this year, but he definitely is going to have to address that, and it will be addressed,” said Riley via ESPN’s Nick Friedell.
Lowry’s nagging hamstring injury caused him to miss significant playoff time and often play poorly when he suited up. The Heat are hoping Lowry will have something left in the tank in the remaining two years of his contract.
The 36-year-old point guard signed a three-year, $85M with the Miami Heat last summer. He helped his team to the best record in the East this past season despite missing several games due to personal reasons.
However, he was a non-factor in the playoffs averaging 7.8 points and 4.7 assists through 10 postseason games. He shot an abysmal 29.8 percent from the field and a 36.6 EFG% as the Heat reached the Eastern Conference Finals to fell to the Boston Celtics.
The 36-year-old registered 13.4 points, 7.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds in the regular season during his first season in South Florida. In addition to his veteran leadership, the Heat will need Lowry to produce numbers, especially in the big stage.
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