Pacers' starting lineup remained unchanged, while on the Heat Team side:
Point Guard: Damon Jones, two: Dwyane Wade, small forward: Eddie Jones, power forward: Haslem, five: Shaquille O'Neal;
Can you imagine that this is the lineup after Pat Riley let go of Caron Butler and Odom?
Pat Riley, as a general manager, had two very noticeable characteristics:
First, he was especially good at "getting something for nothing," a trick from his old employers, which he had mastered before he left;
Second, he was particularly adept at accumulating chips;
His vision was not only about "changing small change for big bills", he also knew how to surround "two big bills" with "small change."
Whether it was the acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal this time or subsequently putting together role players for the "Peak Three Giants," these two points were clearly evident.