Lakers to Honor Pat Riley with Statue
The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to immortalize their former coach, Pat Riley, with a bronze statue. The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for February 22nd and will take place outside the team’s stadium in the city center.
This recognition places Riley alongside team legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant, who already have statues in the same location.
The choice of opponent for this tribute is symbolic: the Lakers will face the Boston Celtics, their historic rival, in the unveiling game.
Riley coached the Lakers during the “Showtime” era from 1981 to 1990, a period in which the team won four NBA championships (1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988).
Under his leadership, and with figures like Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers achieved a record of 533-194 (.733) in the regular season, adding 102 playoff victories over nine seasons.
During Riley’s nine seasons as coach, the Lakers achieved at least 50 wins in each of them, and in five consecutive seasons they surpassed 60 wins. In 1989-90, Riley was named NBA Coach of the Year.
Before his successful coaching career, Riley played for the Lakers from 1970 to 1975 and was a commentator for the team. He was part of the 1971-72 team that set a record of 33 consecutive wins and won the NBA championship.
At 80 years old, Riley also coached the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat, a team with which he won another championship in 2006 and currently serves as president.
Last season, the Heat dedicated their arena court to Riley, in a ceremony attended by many of his former players.
Riley will join seven other iconic Lakers figures who have been honored with a statue at Star Plaza, a landmark for the team’s fans, including Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Bryant, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal, and commentator Chick Hearn.
