Riley Blasts Checketts, Knicks Claiming Unfair Treatment

Pat Riley, who had little to say when he quit the New York Knicks in June, blasted his former team Sunday, saying he was “used, manipulated, promised, ignored, threatened.”

In a story published Sunday in the New York Daily News, Riley said he was treated unfairly by team president Dave Checketts in four seasons with the Knicks. Riley was hired Saturday to coach Miami after the Heat gave New York $1 million and a first-round draft pick to release Riley from his contract.

“I got tired of being used, manipulated, promised, ignored, threatened and eventually, I got tired of somebody not living up to his word,” Riley said.

“He went from being my ally to my adversary. The reason I came to New York was Dave Checketts. But he’s also the reason I left.”

Checketts responded with equally harsh words, issuing a statement Sunday in which he called Riley’s accusations outrageous.

“Throughout his four years as head coach, and even following his resignation, we have always treated Pat Riley with the utmost of respect and dignity,” Checketts’ statement said. “We regret he has elected not to act with similar professionalism. We cannot even attempt to explain his public posture.”