Pat Riley: Olympic Gold Completes LeBron’s ‘Tremendous Turnaround’

What a year it’s been for LeBron James. He won his third regular season MVP, finally captured the elusive Larry O’Brien Trophy, was named Finals MVP, and won his second Olympic gold medal. After Team USA’s victory against Spain, Miami Heat President Pat Riley was both relieved and happy for James. Riley, who has been somewhat of a father figure to LeBron, has watched James grow from an at-times confused young man into one of the best leaders, and champions, in the NBA. From the South Florida Sun Sentinel: “‘I think both Micky and I had a great sigh of relief that he got through the Olympics without getting hurt or anything happening and also winning the gold medal,’ Riley said of the thoughts of himself and Heat owner Micky Arison. ‘It just sort of completes a tremendous turnaround for him. He did it, and he did it by looking at himself in the eye, looking in the mirror, taking stock of what it was that he may not have done last year, on the court, off the court, and this year he had a perfect run. We’re happy for him. We love him to death, obviously.'”