ESPN's Stephen A. Smith is now considering Sam Presti of the Oklahoma City Thunder as the best executive in NBA history ahead of the likes of Pat Riley
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one game from reaching the Western Conference Finals of the NBA playoffs.
It would put them in position to continue their attempt at a second straight league championship. The fact the Thunder could remain in their perch for many years to come is why ESPN's Stephen A. Smith is considering Sam Presti as the best executive in NBA history.
That would put Presti ahead of several others, including Miami Heat team president Pat Riley. Many have called Riley the G.O.A.T of the front office.
"We all know what an incredible executive he is," Smith said. "But I was on him like back pockets, as [Kendrick Perkins] would say, `when are you going to close the deal?' And they closed the deal. But I stand down, this is the greatest executive in the NBA," Smith said. "I might say we might have to have a discussion some day in the near future as to whether or not this is the greatest executive in the history of the sport."'
Riley has helped three different organizations reach the top of the NBA. First, he led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships during the 1980s. He then helped turn the New York Knicks into contenders in the 1990s.
His final magic trick was helping the Heat become on of the best franchises. He led the Heat to their first title in 2006. He then was the key front-office member in them acquiring LeBron James and Chris Bosh in the summer of 2010. That team won two championships in four straight trips to the Finals.
Still, Smith feels Presti could easily surpass Riley if everything goes according to plan.
"Do you know that over the next six years, they have at least 13 first-round picks and 16 second-rounders," Smith said "... And they're sitting here the reigning defending NBA champions right now. You can literally look at the Oklahoma City Thunder and make the argument at the very least they're going to be a final four team in all likelihood for the next five years. That is what this man has built in Oklahoma City ... He is clearly the best."
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com