Heat First Trimester Grades

The date Dec. 29 could only mean one thing.

Yes, it's four days after Christmas and three days before the New Year. But it's also been exactly two months (and one day) since the Heat opened its season with that Oct. 28 victory against the New York Knicks. In other words, I should have filed this yesterday. But the methodical drive from New York to Miami hit an extra overnight snag right around Gainesville and required a pit stop.

Still, this officially (or otherwise) brings us to the first trimester of the season. Two months down in the regular season. Four to go. So as the Heat wrapped up practice today in advance of its two-game road trip to New Orleans and San Antonio, Prof. M-Dub couldn't find a better time than now to hand out first trimester grades for the Heat.

In many ways, at 16-12, the Heat is right where it should be, under the circumstances. There isn't quite enough depth and talent on the roster to consistently trade blows with the Big Four in the East (Orlando, Boston, Cleveland, Atlanta). On the other hand, with a healthy Dwyane Wade, there's still enough here to avoid falling too deep into the conference wastelands that exist in the bottom half of the East.

In an effort to provide a truly fair evaluation, these grades are based on how each Heat player has done through the first two months in terms of reaching general expectations and potential. That means Carlos Arroyo's grade might be higher than, say, Jermaine O'Neal's.

But that doesn't mean Arroyo has outperformed O'Neal from an overall team perspective. It simply means, Arroyo has come closer to meeting, or surpassing, what was generally expected of him in this evaluator's humble opinion. So feel free to evaluate the evaluator - or simply chime in with your own studious observations and grades.

Joel Anthony (B+): There have already been a handful of times when Joel - or ZO-el, as we call him on press row, dominated a game on the defensive end. His blocks-per-minutes-played stat makes him one of the most productive shot-blockers in the league. He's even sprinkled in a hook shot, pick-and-roll finish and dunks on lob passes. But the operative word is "sprinkled." Anthony's hands of stone still prevent him from providing heapings of anything on offense. But defensively, he's gone from project to impact player.

Carlos Arroyo (C+): There was a reason Arroyo was available as a free agent well into training camp. He's no longer the flashy, streaky, take-over-a-game point guard. But he's been a productive, steady, veteran option for this team. He doesn't make mistakes and gets the team smoothly into offense. Arroyo still has a great feel for the game and his teammates. Considering he's now starting just two months after the Heat signed him off the Miami playgrounds to a non-guaranteed contract, he's already done more than expected.  

Michael Beasley (B): There are some out there who will give Beas an "A" no matter what he does. But the truth his, the kid is coming around nicely this season after showing flashes last season. Beas still has a few more levels to go before he reaches the peak of his game. That's not a knock on him. That speaks to how much of a star he could be in this league if he continues to develop (and be allowed  to develop). But he is on course to be that "20-10 guy even on a bad night" D. Wade believes he soon will become.

Mario Chalmers (C-): Really, about the only thing Chalmers has shown that's different from his rookie campaign is the ability to lose his starting job. You have to wonder at times why Pat Riley made such a firm public commitment to the kid instead of upgrading the position last summer. Money was a factor. But still. The good news is that Mario can still be a long-term starter. But he's seeing you can't walk into the league and pick up point guard skills on the fly.

Daequan Cook (D-): The shoulder problems have lingered, the shot isn't falling and he's dropped out of the primary rotation again. Hopefully, he'll come around in the next few weeks to justify defending that Three-Point Shootout championship at All-Star Weekend. This could become another second-guess situation from a previous draft, when Miami took Dorell Wright while Jameer Nelson was on the board. Cook was acquired three drafts ago when a fella by the name of Aaron Brooks was still there to be had.

Yakhouba Diawara (C-): You won't find a nicer, more intelligent, funnier guy in the Heat locker room than Frenchie. But he's not making almost $1 million to be those things. He was brought in to be a three-point shooting, defensive stopper. For whatever reason, he hasn't had done either of those things consistently.

Udonis Haslem (B-): You know what you're going to get from UD year in and year out. Somewhere around 10 points and close to 10 rebounds. That’s both good and bad. You would like to see Haslem follow through on his wish to expand his game, since he always talks about how much he’s had to sacrifice to accept his role with the Heat. He watched Michael Beasley take over the starting power forward role in a move that seems to be paying off for both, even though the staff hasn’t consistently found a way to keep both in the mix at the end of games.

James Jones (D): He was brought in to be the stretch-the-floor, three-point specialist at near mid-level money to complement Dwyane Wade. So either James Jones hasn't truly gotten his chance or the Heat is getting an absurdly low return on its $4.2 million a year investment. Jones hasn't been a factor with this team, despite all of the high praise from coach Erik Spoelstra coming into the season.

Jamaal Magloire (C): When Big Cat plays, he punishes people. He pounds in the paint, and he's a productive rebounder. But the minutes have been sparse for the Heat's resident enforcer. Magloire's biggest accomplishment this season was getting suspended for those two regular-season games for his role in that preseason skirmish with the Pistons.

Jermaine O'Neal (C+): When the offense runs through J.O., good things tend to happen. But the question lingers. Were those 22-point, 12-rebound performances in the first two games just a tease, or a true testament of what should be expected from O'Neal game in and game out? Nagging injuries have rendered his production sporadic. But just when you count him down or out, he bounces back with a big game.

Chris Quinn - I (incomplete): He hasn't played and might not get a chance to do so this season if the Heat decides to keep Arroyo on board beyond the Jan. 6 guarantee date for contracts. Still, a permanent spot on the inactive list is not a bad way to earn a cool million bucks for Quinn.

Quentin Richardson (A): If I've said it once, I've blogged it a dozen times. What essentially was a throw-away trade for the Heat in dumping Mark Blount turned out to be a treasured situation for Q-Rich. He has gone from being buried on the Knicks bench to being traded four times last summer to becoming the Heat's X-factor this season. Q-Rich's shooting, defense and swagger have been huge in support of Wade. Now, all he has to do is stay healthy.

Dwyane Wade (B-): Because greatness is graded on a steep curve, D. Wade's low B would be a high A for 90 percent of the league. But his shooting woes, conditioning flap and turnovers have left the door open for a bit of criticism. The expectation is that Wade will shut that door during the second Trimester and get back to being one of the top-3 dominant players in the league. It's not like he's slipped far off that mark - even with his relative dip in production so far.

Dorell Wright (C+): The re-emergence of Dorell Wright has been a bit overstated in recent weeks. But the reality is that Dorell is still young enough at age 24, athletic enough, long enough and skilled enough to make a fool of a front office if it gives up on him too soon. The key to Wright's recent improved play has been the stability in his surgically repaired knee. If he sustains this, his grade will certainly rise.

Coach Erik Spoelstra (C): Although he has been a huge target of criticism among a section of fans, Spoelstra still hasn't really done anything to distinguish himself as a game-day coach. We know he prepares like heck. He knows how to run a practice. He can relate to his players. But the fact is Dwyane helps to hide what may be a few blemishes. The rotation is still his issue. But it's too soon to say he's a perfect fit or not a fit at all for this team.

President Pat Riley (B-): The natural instinct was to offer a lower grade. But I do give Riley credit for avoiding the sort of desperate moves he's made the past couple of seasons. You know the ones. Smush. Penny. Ricky D. Instead, Riley announced what he was going to do and stuck with it. The plan is 2010. Fate sort of forced his hand on the point guard situation, and he brought in Arroyo. And his biggest accomplishment this season has been his ability to convince the league that he's got a better-than-good chance at bringing LeBron down to Miami to pair with D. Wade. There's hype. And the Heat is winning.

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

Comments

[MAC]

I would give Arroyo a B, Beasily a B+, Oneal a B+ and Wright a B. I think all of the above are doing above average.

[Hiram]

I would give Arroyo (at least) a B+. Arroyo was brought in to be a back up and ended up starting. He is third in the whole NBA in asst/to ratio (3.93), with 22 assists and only one TO in the last six games. Since he is starting the Heat are 5 and 1 and his defense, control of the tempo and ball handling has been superb!

[UD's biggest fan]

Fantastic work as usual. I agree with almost everything.

I will also give Carlos a B and give Chalmers a D because he's been absolutely confounding. One would think that starting all those games his rookie year was going to give him the experience and confidence to do better but what we're getting out of him is close to deplorable. How hard can it be to bring the ball up, find either Wade, Beasley or JO for assists and just play a modicum of defense?

I could be harsher on Spo because I believe some of his late-game decisions have cost us some wins and his rigidity with the rotation and inability to coach the offensive side of the game is very troubling, but I'll just settle for your grade. I don't think we can expect him to coach Wade, LeBron and Bosh to a championship because that requires creative coaching and Spo for all his vaunted knowledge is sorely lacking in the creative aspect. He's closer to a robot than an active coach. His decisions are almost all determined before the games even begin. In the postseason teams are just going to read him like an open book and will make their work so much easier. He should learn to relax.

Good work.

[pugtv]

Nice job.

[eddie]

I think the evaluator has been fair in his assessment. However, I give Carlos a solid B, a good point guard does not necessarily has to be on the top scoring five at the end of the night - the important thing that Carlos has been able to achieve is control and creating opportunities for key players such as Wade to find their offense. I predict that Wade will publictly acknowledge Carlos for his contribution which has been as one reader said here, superb!
Mr. Wallace, I thank you for your honest assessment and thank you for letting us give our feedback in return.

[don't play football]

Preston Plevretes: Link Between Football Concussions And Brain Damage All Too Clear In Former Player

MARLBORO, N.J. — Tammy and Ted Plevretes don't need more research to link football concussions to devastating brain damage.

They need only look across the kitchen table, where their 23-year-old son Preston sits mostly silent in a wheelchair, a home-health aide at his side.

Four years ago, Preston took the field for La Salle University a month after an earlier concussion. He collided head-on with an opposing player on a punt return at Duquesne University on Nov. 5, 2005. He was briefly knocked unconscious, awoke and was combative for a few minutes, then lapsed into a coma.

He survived lifesaving surgery to remove a massive blood clot, and has since endured three more brain operations, a trip overseas for a stem-cell transplant and years of grueling therapy. Yet his progress has been limited, and he struggles to walk and talk.

This fall – amid rising awareness in the NFL about the long-term effects on the brain of repeated concussions – the Plevretes family settled a lawsuit against La Salle for $7.5 million. The suit charged that the Philadelphia school failed to treat Preston's first concussion properly, causing the later catastrophic injuries from what some doctors call "second-impact syndrome." La Salle argued the injuries stemmed solely from the hit at Duquesne.

"We still love football. We don't want anyone to stop playing it," said Tammy Plevretes, 49, of Marlboro, N.J., whose 60-year-old husband once played for the rough-and-tumble, semi-pro Brooklyn Mariners.

"(But) I think kids need to see what can happen," she said. "This isn't a broken leg. It's a broken life."

Preston was fortunate to be injured a few blocks from Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, where a pair of neurosurgeons on duty whisked him into an operating room. They removed a massive hematoma, staunched the bleeding and relieved the near-fatal pressure inside his skull.

Dr. Robert Cantu, a Boston-area neurosurgeon, served as the family's medical expert for the lawsuit. Cantu testified at this year's Congressional hearings on NFL concussions, telling lawmakers there is "growing and convincing evidence" that repetitive concussions can cause degenerative brain disease.

Preston's erratic on-field behavior, combined with the excessive bleeding, point to second-impact syndrome, he said.

"He enters the game symptomatic (for concussion). That sets him up for another injury causing this malignant brain swelling," he said.

Once a person is vulnerable, additional brain trauma does not always have to be severe to cause devastating damage, Cantu said.

"The second blow may be remarkably minor, perhaps only involving a blow to the chest that jerks the athlete's head and indirectly imparts accelerative forces to the brain," Cantu wrote. Death can occur within minutes when the brain ruptures from the brain stem.

Such catastrophic injuries are rare. Cantu has treated about eight cases similar to Preston's, many of them youth football injuries.

The more common concern for NFL players – or anyone suffering multiple concussions – is dementia, depression and other neurological problems as they age.

"That's my biggest concern. How am I going to be when I'm 50 or when I'm 60? Will I have all these brain diseases and will I have a problem remembering things?" Brian Westbrook of the Philadelphia Eagles said after suffering two concussions in a three-week span this fall.

Westbrook, who missed seven games before returning to action Sunday, was not alone on the sidelines. Both of last season's Super Bowl quarterbacks, Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner, and numerous other high-profile players sat out at least one game this season with concussions.

That's a stark turnaround from the days when such injuries often were ignored or hidden.

"Young athletes are horrible self-reporters. They want to please, they want to play, especially with a macho thing like football," said Brian Mason, who directs CentraState Wellness and Fitness in Freehold, N.J., where Preston spends much of his week in therapy.

The Plevretes, who refused to sign a confidential legal settlement, want youngsters to protect themselves.

"Be – safe," said Preston, mustering the focus and strength he needs to string together short, whispered phrases. "Do you – want – to end up – like me?"

___

By all accounts, 6-foot-3, 220-pound Preston Plevretes was a gung-ho jock – just the type who might ignore an injury to play. He also was dueling for a starting linebacker spot at La Salle.

"He was a tough kid on the field," then-coach Phil Longo testified in his deposition.

A 19-year-old sophomore, Preston had missed his freshman year due to grades and was sidelined early that fall with a broken hand.

La Salle had orthopedists on call for broken bones, but the team had no neurologists lined up to consult about head injuries. Staff referred players to the student health center unless a trip to the emergency room seemed in order, according to trainer Bill Gerzabek.

"It would take probably two months for the office visit (with a neurologist)," Gerzabek said in his deposition.

In October 2005, Preston returned to action just two weeks after hand surgery, still sporting a cast. In an Oct. 8 game at Marist University, he complained of headaches and told Gerzabek for the first time that he had head-butted someone at practice four days earlier. He left the game and was referred to the health center, where Preston saw a nurse practitioner on Oct. 10th. She performed a standardized concussion test, but gave it incorrectly, the lawsuit alleged.

The next day, Ted Plevretes took his son to their local emergency room, and for an eye exam because Preston complained about his vision. The head scan proved negative, and Preston returned to the student clinic for follow-up on Oct. 12. He said he did not have a headache that day, and, according to Gerzabek, was cleared to play four days later.

But he continued to complain of headaches to friends, most notably on Nov. 2 or 3, which his girlfriend said he spent lying down. The team left for Duquesne on Nov. 4.

"If the stories about the headaches are true, Preston not only failed to be forthright with Bill Gerzabek, but he ignored the warning label on his football helmet, which specifically warned against playing with a headache," La Salle argued in its trial memorandum.

___

In a sharp about-face this month, the NFL has encouraged players and their families to cooperate with Cantu and colleagues at the Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, who are conducting autopsies on the brains of former athletes – and finding disturbing evidence of brain damage in football players, boxers and a former NHL player.

The NFL also has issued new concussion guidelines, and ordered that independent physicians determine when a player should return. At youth levels, more teams are teaching players to recognize warning signs, including headaches, dizziness, tinnitus and blurred vision.

"The threat of lawsuit for inappropriate care is real, but I would also like to think that enlightenment is also driving it," Cantu said.

At least one neurosurgeon, Dr. Douglas Smith of the University of Pennsylvania, fears the new rules could backfire, leading players to try to hide their symptoms. Even doctors aren't sure when it's safe to return.

"That's the million-dollar question," said Smith, director of Penn's Center for Brain Injury and Repair. "If it were me, the appropriate time to go back is about 50 years."

___

As the Plevretes shared a pizza at home this month, Ted played a videotape of Preston's high school football banquet. A handsome, boisterous Preston brings down the house roasting his Marlboro High School coaches.

The 23-year-old Preston, watching from the kitchen, beamed what one therapist called "that million-megawatt smile he uses to charm people." Preston always loved the limelight, and had hoped to become a sports broadcaster.

Tammy Plevretes, a former entertainer-turned-cheerleader for her son, allowed a rare wistful comment.

"It's a little hard for mom, because I miss him," she said quietly.

Aides tend to Preston while his parents are at work – Ted works for a financial company, while Tammy runs her own small business. Their other child, 21-year-old Perry, is in film school in Florida. The couple was watching Perry play high school football when Preston was injured.

In their absence, Longo and Gerzabek chased the ambulance on foot to Mercy Hospital. Team staff stayed in Pittsburgh for several days, while La Salle held prayer vigils and welcomed Preston back for a visit a year later.

"From the time of Preston's injury, the university community ... ha(s) been hoping and praying for his recovery. That hasn't changed," La Salle said in a statement. The school has since dropped football for unrelated reasons.

Preston had more brain surgery this summer to alleviate seizures, but the procedure caused other setbacks.

One recent Friday, he spent five hours at CentraState, moving through rotations of speech, occupational and physical therapy.

Preston has little short-term memory, but still manages to flash his old charisma at times. During speech therapy, he was asked which is taller, a tree or mountain?

"If a tree – is on – a mountain – then the tree – would be – taller," he replied, grinning.

That tells the parents their eldest son is still himself.

The settlement will allow the intensive therapy to continue, and pay for round-the-clock aides and perhaps more experimental stem-cell treatments.

"My hope is that he gets his life back again," Tammy Plevretes said. "Will anyone ever love him? Will he get married, have children, have a job? Things we all take for granted, I don't know if he'll ever have."

[SATANLOVES]

The idiot above shout get his non related post deleted.

Arroyo should get a B not a C, he took over the starting job! Why does he never get any respect when he's been playing much better than Chalmers? I'm always shocked when I hear that the Heat could still let him go for the cap savings. The Heat can't be that cheap...

[Your french daddy]

Agreed Arroyo has played steady and that is what a point guard is SUPPOSED TO DO. Its nice to have Chalmers play good defense (when he wants to) but ultimately a captain has to steer the ship thru calm or rough waters and that is exactly what he has done. It would be a mistake to let him go for Chalmers sake. To learn "how to" is very important for Mario. Extremely disapointed in JJ especially cause he's from the U (my alma) and pulling in 4big ones a year. Love that Dorell is coming back, besides Wade and UD, he has been my favorite bballer for a while. I also agree with you, Mr Wallace, about JO, what can he really do if he stays healthy and how come Big Kat isnt playing more when other teams' bigs are on the floor. If anything he will clear the lane for Wade which is what a big body is supposed to do. Which brings me to my final point: I think Spo is a good coach, but that is it. He is young and is learning and that is why it is sooooooo obvious that he sets up a game plan before the game and sticks with it (if not earlier or for some teams). Very little creativity. Look at R. Adelman in Houston. He was known as a pure offensive coach in Sacramento with the awesome team of Weber, Divac, Christie, Hedo, Bibby etc. and now Houston (with limited offense) is great defensively. You got to roll with the punches Spo. But i can understand, when i see him pace along the side line, arms crossed, he has this "Damn i hope Riley isnt watching right now!" look on his face. Relax Spo, you got Wade, run with it man, and if you get fired, check it: so did everyone else before you. Rotate JO with Big Kat vs Cleveland, Boston, Lakes, even the Magic and anyteam with seven footer (u you dont ahve to give him big mintues) and have UD or Anthony (not both) along with him for D and Rebs support. Bease can give you offense with Wade and a PG backcourt. You need the height, man, thats something ya cant coach.

[Bhemis "Fo'Fiv" Parks]

Still trying to figure out why the Herald employs this dude. He gives some of the worst critiques on players I've ever seen. Almost as if he's never even watched the Heat play. He's constantly riding the sack of Wade and down playing the improvement of his teammates. I mean the Heat have beaten the Magic twice after losing 3 games last season. They were swept by the Nuggets and Blazers last season... yet beat both clubs this season. If you look at most of the Heat loses... you'll see that the teammates of Wade have shown up more often than not. It's usually been Wade not doing his usual duties.

Anyway, let me get to the topic at hand.

Chalmers is clearly a better... he has an improved handle and his mid range jumper is a lot better. What he hasn't been is as aggressive as WE may want him to be. Keep in mind that the kid is the teams 4th or 5th option most of his minutes on the court. The team did start 6-1 with Chalmers starting and Wade struggling.
(Grade: B-)

Beasley would be putting up huge numbers if he didn't have to balance being a decoy 22 minutes a game and the man the other 10. The kid gets more bad PR than any other player out his class about what he DOSE NOT do. News flash... Rose, Lopez, Mayo and etc also don't do a lot of what they should do. Anyway, Beasley needs more touches and not the kind that has him in catch and shot situations. He needs to be allowed to get his rhythm early.
(Grade: B+)

Wright... yeah the same Wright that many of you including the clown employed by the Herald wrote off, has been a pleasant surprise. He gets a A for effort in my book. Hast quietly brought a stability to the second unit that Haslem or Arroyo couldn't.
(Grade A)

Anthony has been much improved offensively, his only flaw is his rebounding. He is a better defensive player than the current DPOY winner. People need to stop living of names. Joel had better be on a All-Defensive team come seasons end.
(Grade A)

Richardson has been the teams leader in my opinion. Often gettin Wade to calm down as well as guarding the top perimeter players. Can't say anything bad about him thus far. Done everything asked and needed of him.
(Grade A)

The rest of the cast have done what was expected of them outside of Cook but he's been injured and people should stop riding the kid because he helps out a lot of folks away from basketball... more than the clown who wrote the article, I'd bet my life on it.

[Bhemis Parks]

One more thing... he brings up Wade's turnovers. What he failed to point out is this is the best Wade has ever done in his career at that aspect of his games.
It really hasn't been a problem for him this season or for the Heat... the club is 2nd in the NBA in fewest turnovers per game.
Kobe Bryant is averaging more than 3+ turnovers per game and not getting the number of assist that Wade is.

Things like this should get this dude fired... he misleads and lies to the public and the Miami Herald allows it. I say fire him or watch everyone leave for the Sun Sentinel or something.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS LONG OVERDUE!!!

[pugtv]

Bhemis,

I kinda liked Mike Wallace's grades and comments. Yours ... not so much ...

[JP]

Considering EVERY ESPN NBA EXPERT said the Heat would either miss the playoffs or be a late (7 or 8) seed, Coach Spo deserves atleast a B at this point.

[pugtv]

"Spo deserves at least a B"

Posted by: JP | Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 06:20 PM

Hahahahahahahahahahaha (gasp) hahahahaha .... Dead Weight Spo deserves a B ... hahahahahahahaha ... funny

[jpejeff]

All those A's Bhemis,you would think we was a dominate team.Spro's grade was a lil high and Carlos's a lil low,but Mr Wallace was mostly right on the money. Spro will stick to the script no matter what.Don't matter if things are going bad good or great,he gonna do the same thing every game.Has no feel for individual players or the game at all.If we graded by a contract/production ratio,Carlos would get A+.This would also give Chalmers a A+ AND THAT WOULD'NT WORK.So production only would give carlos a C+ Squard.

[Magic_Marc]

I think that the grades are close although I do agree that Carlos deserves a higher grade. I basically had zero expectations for him and he has been surprisingly solid. Dorrel should get a higher grade and Udonis has contributd more from the bench than at any point in his career so I thought that he deserved a high grade. I think that Beasley is one of the rare top 5 picks who had to play next to an NBA giant, so his development and role are rather strange. On a losing team Beasley would have already been averaging 20-10 but here playing second chair and having the ball taken from him instead of giving it to him has slowed down his growth a lot.

Dequan...geez. James Jones has been a disapointemnt. I expected bigger things.

Overall I think that we are about where we should be at this point in the season. I believe that we have Eastern conference finals talent right now, I just wonder if we have an Eastern conference finals coach or consistency.

[dduck]

pretty good article hard to disagree with the explaination given for each player but Arroyo has certainly out performed his expectations while Chalmers has been a huge disappointment this year. he will never be a front line starter in this league. He has no PG skills and his shooting is worse this year than it was last year.

[dduck]

it is funny, I'm reading all the comments and we all see basically the same thing. on Arroyo & Chalmers and Coach Sprobot. Maybe Riley fills out a rotation card for each Week and Sprobot just follows it blindly unless there is foul trouble. We all see how silly the line-ups get when there is anybody in foul trouble.

At the very least the guy has zero creativity.

[FairGrader]

It's unfair how you graded Riley...You gave Wade a B- on the merit that he's a star and is graded harder, yet you grade Riley a B- on comparing him to himself when he made F moves...Basically because Riley didn't make a Riley move, by default he gets a B-, but you didn't grade him on the fact that right now, we could have all-star Boozer for a trial, we could have a real 3rd or 2nd option...(and don't say its beasley, some nights he's 20+ ppg, others, 6 ppg...2nd option needs to be consistent)...give Riley an B if he brought in someone for relatively nothing (a la Jefferson to San Antonio, Rasheed Wallace to Celts)...why does Riley always get a pass?