Pat Riley discusses future of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh

The Big Three era in Miami could be on the brink of collapse, and that probably explains why Heat President Pat Riley lobbed a less-than-subtle challenge at LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh during the team’s season-ending news conference Thursday.

“You’ve got to stay together, if you’ve got the guts,” Riley said. “You don’t find the first door and run out of it if you have an opportunity.”

With his three best players in a position to potentially test the free-agent market this off-season, Riley broke away from his typically polished and restrained public persona to discuss the team’s shortcomings this season and his efforts to maintain his roster.

Riley expressed anger over what he said was a lack of appreciation for what the Heat has accomplished over the last four seasons since James joined the team.

“This is four years now into this era, this team. Four finals — it’s only been done three other times before — and two championships. From Day One to the end, it was like a Broadway show. It sort of ran out of steam. And we need to retool. We don’t need to rebuild. We need to retool.

“And that’s what we’re going to do.”

Riley underlined his desire to accomplish even more with the Heat with familiar players leading the way.

“I didn’t come down here 19 years ago for a quick trip to South Beach and a suntan,” Riley said. “I don’t think they did either.”