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Pat Riley says LeBron James' decision to leave Heat 'most shocking' thing

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Riley right to be shocked by LeBron's departure? (1:33)

Stephen Jackson and Amin Elhassan have differing thoughts on Pat Riley saying LeBron James leaving the Heat was Riley's "most shocking thing." (1:33)

Miami Heat president Pat Riley told the Vertical in a recent interview that LeBron James' decision to leave Miami after the 2013-14 season and return to Cleveland was "the most shocking" thing that has happened during his tenure with the team.

"Since I came here, we've had the same owner, same president, two coaches, same support staff. We've got a bunch of guys working for us who played for us," Riley told the Vertical. "Players come and go, great players. When LeBron left, that was the most shocking thing to me -- not to say he was right or wrong -- and the most shocking thing to the franchise.

"But our culture is the same. You have your up years and your down years, but what can't change is the way you do things."

The Heat visit the Cavaliers on Monday in the third meeting this season between the teams.

The Heat defeated the Cavs on Saturday night in Miami, but James and fellow Cleveland star Kyrie Irving were both held out of the game to rest.