The Los Angeles Lakers have announced that a statue will be erected in honor of Pat Riley outside the Crypto.com Arena on Star Plaza. This recognition celebrates Riley’s remarkable contribution to the Lakers, where he served as head coach for nine seasons during the 1980s and guided the team to four NBA titles and seven NBA Finals appearances.
Jeanie Buss, the controlling governor and president of the Lakers, praised Riley's legacy in a statement, noting, "Pat is a Lakers icon. His professionalism, commitment to his craft and game preparation paved the way for the coaching we see across the league today." This sentiment reflects the lasting impact Riley has had on the franchise and the league as a whole. The statue is set to be unveiled in 2026, marking Riley as the eighth Laker to receive such an honor, joining the ranks of Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Jerry West.
Riley, now 79 years old, has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in NBA history. He began as a player, competing for the San Diego Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns over nine seasons, earning one championship in that time. After transitioning to coaching, he secured a position as an assistant coach for the Lakers before assuming the head coaching role. His coaching tenure spanned three decades and included leadership roles with three franchises—the Lakers, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat—culminating in a remarkable 1,210-694 record and five NBA championships. Furthermore, he later transitioned into a front-office role as president of the Miami Heat, overseeing player acquisitions that bolstered the franchise, including high-profile athletes such as LeBron James and Chris Bosh, and leading the team to additional championships during the era known as the 'LeBron years.' The Showtime Lakers, famously coached by Riley in the 1980s, featured Hall of Fame talents like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and their fierce rivalries with teams like the Boston Celtics helped propel the NBA into a new era of popularity.
