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Pat Riley is one of the most legendary coaches in NBA history, and there are only a handful of guys who’ve managed to amass a more impressive résumé as a skipper. He also spent a decade as a player in the league, but Walt Frazier made it clear he wasn’t blown away by his prowess on the hardwood while covering a contest between the Heat and the Knicks.
Phil Jackson firmly holds the record for the most titles as an NBA coach with 11, as the man who won six championships with the Bulls and another five with the Lakers surpassed Red Auerbach (who had nine with the Celtics) for the crown while closing out his career in Los Angeles.
There are currently three guys tied for third place on that list: John Kundla, Gregg Popovich, and Pat Riley, the last of whom won four with the Lakers and got one more with the Heat before retiring from coaching and settling into his role in the front office.
As is the case with many basketball coaches, Riley was an accomplished player before he ended up pivoting, although there’s one man who played against him back in the day who was less than impressed with his talents.
Walt ‘”Clyde” Frazier hilariously roasted Pat Riley’s playing career while minding his business at a game
In 1967, Riley was drafted by the Rockets (who were based in San Diego at the time) with the seventh overall pick in the NBA Draft out of Kentucky—two picks after the Knicks scooped up Southern Illinois standout Walt “Clyde” Frazier.
It’s safe to say Frazier ended up having the better career of the two, as he was a seven-time All-Star and two-time champion during a 13-year career that ended with him being enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Riley, on the other hand, spent 10 seasons in the league (he did win a title while playing for the Lakers), and his induction in 2008 was firmly based on what he achieved as a coach.
“The Godfather” is still the president of the Heat—a position he’s held for the past three decades—and on Sunday, he was in attendance to watch his team get a 115-107 win over the Knicks. Frazier was on the broadcast for MSG, and he couldn’t help but fire a lighthearted but nonetheless lethal shot at Riley over his playing skills.
Walt Clyde Frazier:
“Pat Riley and me entered the league the same year, he tried to guard me and that’s how he ended up as a coach”
😂😂😂
pic.twitter.com/fi34wduiGc— Teg🚨 (@IQfor3) October 26, 2025
Boom roasted.