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MIAMI -- The last time Pat Riley faced the end of an era like this, his back was literally against the wall.Prolonging the inevitable burned Riley when he last tried to squeeze a last-ditch loyal run out of the remains of his first Miami Heat championship team in 2006. Apply the bitter lessons learned back then to now, and perhaps its understandable why a clean break from Dwyane Wade was the move to make.Miamis magical Big 3 era technically ended two seasons ago when LeBron James bolted back to Cleveland. Couple that with Wades stinging departure last week in free agency to Chicago and the uncertainty of Chris Boshs medical condition moving forward, then its conceivable that no one from the most accomplished trio in franchise history will ever score a point in a Heat uniform again.Riley can move on with a heavy heart but a clear conscious now because the alternative is desperately holding on too long like he did nine years ago.Back in the 2007-08 season, in a desperate move to shake up a roster that had grown stale around an aging Shaquille ONeal and an injured Wade, Riley offered an invitation into his soul after a practice at AmericanAirlines Arena during what would be his final season in the dual role of team president and coach.This view of one of the most relentless, ruthlessly successful and maniacal executives in NBA history would be as clear as the picturesque Biscayne Bay just outside of the Heats practice facility.You all know me, Riley told a small group of reporters at the time. Im always pushing my chips into the center of the table. You want to make a deal? Lets make a deal. Lets go all in. How far do you want to go? Im always willing to see how far we can push it -- to the absolute max. What is it going to take?That approach has driven Riley through a Hall of Fame career that has seen him -- in one role or another -- collect NBA championship rings for all but one finger. Yet in this instance, the riverboat gambler in Riley drove him directly into a trade for Ricky Davis and Mark Blount.The intent was to salvage one last productive season out of a disinterested ONeal, and to reinforce the roster with a perimeter scorer to carry the load on nights Wade required injury rest or rehab.Oops.Pour Riley a glass or three of his preferred wine and play just the right rhythm-and-blues vinyl record to reflect his mood, and he might admit that his ego, ambition and pride got the best of him in what led to an injury-riddled, frustrating 15-win season that stands as the worst in his 21-year Heat tenure.Before now, that decision stood as the most recent example of Riley launching the franchise into a massive rebuilding process. Until now, he always has had the benefit over the past 13 years of putting the pieces back together with Wade as the foundational rock.The same intestinal fortitude, intensity and entitlement that steeled Riley and Wade together through five trips to the NBA Finals, the most successful four-year run in franchise history and three championships are the character traits -- and flaws -- that eventually ripped them apart.I will always love Pat, and I know he feels the same way about me, Wade said over the weekend during an appearance at his youth basketball camp in Miami. Hes a tough cookie. And Ive grown into being a tough one as well. Yeah, we can butt heads at times.Thats Wade admitting that he and his professional father figure and mentor are more alike than different. In fact, their similarities are what made it impossible to turn back once they had their differences.In what ultimately amounted to a $3 million difference in bitter contract negotiations forced Wade to stand on pride and leave behind a legacy in Miami for a two-year, $47 million deal with the Bulls. And in what amounted to a weekend binge to move the franchise forward, Riley executed a flurry of signings with the $20 million in 2016-17 salary cap space earmarked for Wade.Forget the facts, for a second. Its the optics that make this divorce overwhelmingly depressing a week later in the aftermath. If youre Riley, how do you justify matching a $50 million contract to retain undrafted, second-year guard Tyler Johnson and balk at giving Wade the $50 million he sought to stay? When Goran Dragic showed up last season admittedly out of shape after signing a five-year, $85 million contract, it was Wade who provided his healthiest season in five years by playing in 74 games. Hassan Whiteside secured a four-year, $98 million contract as Rileys No. 1 priority in free agency on July 1.But it was Wade who nearly pushed the Heat to within one game of reaching the conference finals as Whiteside was sidelined with a knee injury midway through the second-round series against Toronto. Simply put: Wade was the Heats best player last season, and also would have been next season. He felt he should have been paid as such. Or at least right behind only Boshs $23.7 million salary.On the other hand, if youre Wade, how do you still hold a grudge for never being the Heats highest-paid player in any season when the reality is you netted the max allowed on the rookie deal and extension through your first seven seasons? Then, when James and Bosh arrived in 2010, all three took less over the next four years until they each opted out in 2014. In retrospect, Wade bypassing the final two years and $42 million on his original big three contract proved as regrettable as the mistake Riley made six years earlier when he miscalculated Shaqs competitive hunger and Wades health.The irony is that had James, Wade and Bosh played out the completion of their 2010 Miami contracts, they would have reached the finish line this summer. But an era that opened with such hope and promise is on the verge of ending in pain as it pivots toward a necessary roster reboot.Six years ago, as James, Wade and Bosh were raised onto a stage to introduce their unprecedented union to the sports world, few could have honestly imagined it would splinter apart at the finish quite like this. And if we were told only one member of that trio would still be on the roster six years later, theres no doubt Wade would have been the unanimous assumption.If theres one other thing Riley and Wade have in common, its that they dont do breakups well. Theres a trail of strained or ruined personal and business relationships alongside the championships and personal triumphs in their respective and collective wakes along the way.What Riley eventually proved in the face of past personnel mistakes is that, given time, hell steer the franchise back onto a championship contending course. But at age 71 and likely facing retirement soon, Riley lacks the time and patience he enjoyed a decade ago. Now, his back is figuratively against the wall heading into the toughest rebuild yet.Riley has never lacked the will to forge a way forward in Miami.Only this time, he no longer has a Wade.Jakob Chychrun Jersey . With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play. Oliver Ekman-Larsson Coyotes Jersey . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. 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The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday.NEW YORK -- Bryce Pettys right shoulder escaped serious injury. The New York Jets second-year quarterback now has to wait to see if he survives final roster cuts.Coach Todd Bowles announced Friday during a conference call that Petty has a bruised shoulder and an MRI exam revealed no structural damage.Bowles also acknowledged that Petty will not be placed on injured reserve before the team makes its final cuts to get down to the maximum 53 players by 4 p.m. EDT Saturday.No, its too early to tell, Bowles said. Were still waiting to see the recovery time. Were going to assess him this week and well see how it goes with treatment.That means Petty could still be a candidate to go on IR, just not before cutdown day. The Jets have entertained keeping four quarterbacks, and many fans and media speculated that placing Petty on IR would provide that opportunity.With Pettys status uncertain, Bowles said its fair to say Geno Smith solidified the No. 2 job behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. The team also has rookie Christian Hackenberg, a second-round draftee. Bowles said the Jets have not yet determined whether all four quarterbacks would make the team, although it would appear only Pettys spot would be in jeopardy.We have not yet met today, the coach said. Were going to meet at 5 oclock, and well probably be here all night.Smiths spot as Fitzpatricks backup appeared secure when Bowles decided to not play him in the preseason finale Thursday night against Philadelphia. Petty started and lasted until late in thhe first quarter, when he was injured when he was hit after throwing a 44-yard touchdown pass to Robby Anderson.ddddddddddddBowles acknowledged the Jets have several other difficult decisions to make over the next 24 hours, including at wide receiver, offensive line, defensive back and tight end.Theres going to be some tough cuts, he said.Starting right tackle Breno Giacomini (back) has missed all of training camp, and Bowles acknowledged he could start the season on the physically unable to perform list.Its just about how hes feeling day by day, Bowles said. With a back, you never know. Obviously, if hes not practicing this week by a certain day, there will probably be a good chance he wont play.The inexperienced Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale have been competing at Giacominis spot, and neither has outperformed the other at this point.I still dont have an answer for you, Bowles said. I saw good from both of them and I saw bad from both of them. I saw some things that they can work on. Well alternate them during the week and well probably go right up until game day, if Breno cant play.Bowles acknowledged general trade talk, without specifically mentioning positions, with teams calling the Jets and them calling around, doing our due diligence. He said most of that, though, is just chatter at this point.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '