Raptors fans won’t like what Pat Riley said about Kyle Lowry

Kyle Lowry may have gone farther in the postseason than his old Toronto Raptors in his first year as a member of the Miami Heat, but both fell short of making it to the Finals this season. Lowry was, unfortunately, a contributor to that crushing Finals loss, as he was disappointing in the postseason.

Lowry averaged just 7.6 points and 4.4 assists per game in the postseason. Lowry had just three games with ten or more points and two games where he didn’t record any points. That lack of production from Lowry was poor enough to send the Heat careening off the proverbial highway as the Celtics advanced.

While Lowry remains a deity in Toronto, Heat fans aren’t as high on him now that he has struggled in Miami. Even Pat Riley is going after him, attacking Lowry with some comments that Raptors could ee as a bit short-sighted given how the team around KLOW performed.

Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Riley took a shot at Lowry and his conditioning, saying that he is “going to have to address it to him” in the offseason. Roley said that he thinks Lowry “can be in better shape.” Way to make him the scapegoat of the Heat’s collective failure, Pat!

Toronto Raptors Legend Kyle Lowry was mocked by Pat Riley.

Lowry was diminished in the postseason due to some nagging injuries, and he missed time in the regular season with physical ailments and personal reasons. Lowry still averaged 13.4 points and 7.5 assists per game on solid efficiency this year, setting the stage for a solid 2022.

Riley is doing one of two things here, and neither of them reflects well on him. In scenario No. 1, Riley is going after a future Hall of Famer and blaming a large chunk of his postseason failures on him when some of his non-Butler stars wilted against Boston. Even Tyler Herro didn’t get this criticism.

On the other hand, Riley appears to be surprised that a 36-year-old point guard whom he traded Precious Achiuwa away for is starting to break down physically. If Riley was unaware of the risks inherent in paying a player that age, that’s not the best decision from an accomplished GM.

Once he gets his hamstring fully healthy and rediscovers his postseason shot-making, Lowry should be one of the main catalysts in Riley’s quest to get back to the Finals. Heat fans and executives might not be all-in on Lowry at the moment, but they should eat their words if he returns to his old self next year.