Riley redo?

MIAMI, FL — Miami Heat head coach Pat Riley said Monday morning that his team would formally request that their playoff series against the Chicago Bulls be replayed after Sunday’s 92-79 Game 4 loss. The Heat – barring a do-over – are the first defending champions in NBA history to be swept out of the first round the following year. “I’ve got to come clean, we were paying attention to the Western Conference playoffs, trying to figure out who we’d face in the Finals,” Riley said. “I didn’t even realize we were in a series of our own until yesterday. To be honest, the Eastern Conference is just insufferably boring.” Riley said that he has had conversations with commissioner David Stern about how dull the East is, and that he thinks there is a good chance Stern will understand the complaint and consider a rematch. Orlando Magic head coach Brian Hill plans to file a similar request. “It took a lot of explaining, but I now understand that there is an Eastern Conference,” Hill said. “Honestly, I thought we were in the minor leagues or something. I was told those games against the Pistons were exhibitions – that’s the last time I take Joe Dumars at his word.”

It’s going to be tough for this sport to sweep any nations, but it’s still pretty frickin’ cool!