The Los Angeles Lakers are set to unveil a statue of their former coach Pat Riley on February 22nd. The Lakers highlighted Riley’s significant contributions, especially in battles against their long-standing rival, the Boston Celtics.
Riley coached the Lakers from 1981 until 1990, a period known as the “Showtime” era, during which the team secured four NBA titles (1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988). He led one of the most exciting and innovative phases in NBA history, with stars like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar driving a fast-paced offense that resulted in a 533-194 record and 102 playoff wins over nine seasons.
Under his leadership, the Lakers never won fewer than 50 games in any season and achieved over 60 wins in five consecutive seasons. Riley earned the NBA Coach of the Year award in the 1989-90 season. Before coaching, he played for the Lakers from 1970 to 1975 and served as a broadcaster and assistant coach. He was part of the 1971 Lakers team that set an NBA record with 33 consecutive wins and captured the championship.
Now 80 years old, Riley also coached the New York Knicks and Miami Heat, where he won another championship in 2006 and currently holds the position of team president. Last season, the Heat honored him with a court-naming ceremony at their downtown arena, attended by many former players.
Riley will become the eighth prominent Lakers figure to be commemorated with a statue at the Star Plaza, a popular attraction for fans worldwide. Other honored figures include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal, and broadcaster Chick Hearn.
Fan Take: Honoring Pat Riley with a statue not only celebrates his legendary coaching career but also cements his lasting impact on the Lakers and the NBA as a whole. This tribute is a reminder of the rich history that shapes the league and inspires future generations of players and coaches.
