The Los Angeles Lakers have announced plans to erect a statue of Pat Riley, celebrating his significant contributions to the franchise, which will be placed alongside other Lakers legends at Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena. Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss shared the news during a video call with Riley and several Lakers greats, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant.
“Pat is a Lakers icon,” said Buss. “His professionalism, commitment to his craft, and game preparation have shaped coaching across the league today. My father recognized Pat’s ability to unite talented players into a championship team. The style of basketball that Pat and the Lakers developed in the 1980s remains the blueprint for our organization: an entertaining and winning team.”
Riley’s legacy with the Lakers is profound, having won a total of six championships: four as head coach (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988), one as an assistant coach (1980), and one as a player (1972). He will be the eighth Laker commemorated in Star Plaza, joining the ranks of Elgin Baylor, Chick Hearn, Shaquille O’Neal, and Jerry West, among others. The statue is expected to be completed in 2026, with the official unveiling date to be announced later.
During his tenure with the Lakers, particularly throughout the iconic Showtime era, Riley established himself as one of the most successful figures in NBA history. He took over as head coach in the 1981-82 season and was known for his innovative coaching style and polished demeanor. Under his leadership, the Lakers secured four NBA titles over nine seasons.
Riley transformed the game with his fast-break offense, making the Lakers the most exciting team of the 1980s. He achieved a remarkable regular-season record of 533-194 (.733) and a playoff record of 102-47 (.685). Each of his nine seasons saw the Lakers win at least 50 games, including five seasons with over 60 victories. In his final season as head coach in 1989-90, Riley was named NBA Coach of the Year.
Before his coaching career, Riley was drafted in the first round of the 1967 NBA Draft by the San Diego Rockets. He was traded to the Lakers in 1970, where he played for over five seasons, including being part of the 1971-72 team that won an NBA-record 33 consecutive games and the NBA Championship.
Related topics
- How Many Inches Is A Basketball Hoop
- Who is the Best Basketball Shooter of All Time?
- How Much Does a Professional Basketball Weigh?
