Heat general manager Pfund resigns

Sep 30, 2008 - 1:23 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Miami Heat general manager Randy Pfund resigned on Monday, leaving a team he helped win an NBA championship during his 13 years with the franchise.

Also a former coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, Pfund stepped aside to pursue other business interests, according to the Heat. He had been signed to a contract extension in July 2007.

"I would like to thank (owners) Micky and Madeleine Arison and Pat and Chris Riley for the opportunity to work for the Heat these past 13 years. It's been an incredible ride," Pfund said. "Additionally, I want to thank Pat for all his support and friendship over these last 20-something years. While I resign my position with the Heat, I feel it's the perfect time to pursue other opportunities within the NBA, and I'm excited about my future.

"Over the years, Pat and I have stood side by side through the ups and downs of many NBA seasons, and on three championship occasions raised champagne glasses together. Lastly, I'd like to thank the Heat family, especially those in basketball operations, who I worked with on a daily basis. I wish the Heat nothing but success in the future."

Team president Riley, who gave Pfund his first job in the NBA as an assistant under him with the Lakers in 1985, will assume Pfund's duties.

"Randy Pfund has done a tremendous job for the Heat, helping to build this team into a champion," Riley said. "His work ethic and contributions to the organization have been invaluable.

"I've known Randy for over 20 years, and in addition to our great working relationship, he has been a wonderful friend to both (my wife) Chris and me and our family. On behalf of the Arison family and my family, I would like to wish him continued success and happiness in everything he does."

Pfund joined the Heat prior to the 1995-96 season before going on to help the franchise make 10 postseason appearances over the past 13 campaigns, including Miami's only championship in 2006. The Heat also won 566 regular-season games during that span, tied for eighth-most in the NBA.

In recent years, Pfund used the fifth overall pick in the 2003 draft to select Dwyane Wade, a four-time All-Star and 2006 NBA Finals MVP. He also helped engineer the four-player trade that brought Shaquille O'Neal to South Florida in July 2004. This past June, the Heat took Kansas State freshman Michael Beasley with the second overall pick.

An assistant during the Lakers' back-to-back championship seasons in 1987-88, Pfund was named the franchise's head coach in 1992, going 66-80 in nearly two campaigns before being replaced by Magic Johnson in 1994.