MIAMI – Pat Riley stood in front of 20,000 people Wednesday night. And they all seemed to cheer when the Miami Heat officially dedicated their home stadium in his honor.

But when it came time to wrap up his remarks and end the Pat Riley Court halftime celebration, the Hall of Famer and team president only spoke to one person – his wife, Chris.

“One day it will end here. And that stamp here and that stamp over there, that's what it's all about, sweetie,” Riley said, pointing to the two spots on the field that now bear his signature and name. “We made it. We made it. I love you. Thanks.”

Many former players – including Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Mike Miller and Jamal Mashburn – returned for the celebration, and many others sent Riley their thanks. It wasn't his idea to name the dish after him; Heat managing partner Micky Arison informed Riley of the decision on September 22, catching him completely by surprise.

“This is beyond even my idea of ​​a reward for a man’s life’s work,” Riley said. “We are big dreamers and Mickey made it mine. It wasn’t something I wanted or pursued, but I’ll embrace it.”

Riley came to Miami in 1995 to become a coach and team president. He stepped down from coaching twice – first in 2003, then again and finally in 2008 – but not before leading Miami to its first NBA title in 2006.

When he left the coaching position for the last time, he promoted Erik Spoelstra as his successor. Spoelstra enters the 17th grade in this role.

“I just think it's a really special moment, not just for myself, but for so many of us in the building,” said Spoelstra, who – along with the rest of his coaches – wore Nike Cortez on Wednesday as a tribute to Riley. wore sneakers, who preferred her as a trainer. “These years pass quickly; 30 years is like the blink of an eye. He took us all on the journey and for that we are eternally grateful. He has given us a plan to follow that will lead to victory.”

The piece of the court that Riley received as a plaque reads: “On September 1, 1995, the future of the Miami Heat changed forever.” Alonzo Mourning, now Heat vice president, was the first big-name player Riley brought to South Florida .

“Coach, 30 years ago you welcomed me to this franchise with an open heart and a unique vision to host a championship parade on Biscayne Boulevard,” Mourning said. “And since our very first season here in Miami, you have done nothing but execute that vision time and time again with a mix of class and competitiveness that this game has never seen again and will never see again.”

Riley pointed out that he coached 188 players in his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Miami – more than 100 of them during his time with the Heat alone. He thanked them, thanked his employees, other leaders, his family and more.

But it was his wife who helped organize Wednesday's event and was always the focus of his remarks. Riley even went into detail about how they met.

“I want to do this right,” Riley said. “It was a summer night in a crowded mezzanine in San Diego and I saw everything perfectly. The most beautiful woman ever, her floral summer dress swaying gently as she walked towards me. I saw those hazel eyes and my heart skipped a beat. … I went for them like Udonis Haslem is going to play a loose ball right there on the court.”

The Heat even aired the clip of the private meeting in which Arison told Riley that he and his son Nick, the team's CEO, decided that the dish would bear his name. Riley looked shocked.

“Enjoy it,” Arison told Riley. “It will be there forever.”