Lenny Wilkens and Pat Riley are members of an exclusive coaching fraternity.

They represent two-thirds of the 1,000-win club and not surprisingly the Miami Heat coach threw his support behind the beleaguered Wilkens and was critical of the detractors.

"Read all the things that have been written about me," Riley said of the vultures who circled over his head when the Heat staggered to a 5-23 start.

"We all forget how to coach after a five-game losing streak. It doesn't make any difference how long you've been in the league. Lenny is above and beyond.