EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers have announced plans to pay tribute to their former coach Pat Riley by erecting a statue at their downtown arena. This honor was revealed on Monday, proclaiming that the statue will be installed in Star Plaza to commemorate Riley’s remarkable legacy, where he guided the “Showtime” Lakers to four championships during the 1980s. Additionally, he contributed to the Lakers’ success as a player and assistant coach, further solidifying his connection to the franchise.
At 79 years old, Riley has been intertwined with the Miami Heat for the past thirty years, serving both as a coach and an executive. However, his NBA origins trace back to the Lakers, where he played between 1970 and 1975 before transitioning to a broadcasting role. In 1979, he became an assistant coach under Paul Westhead, mark that laid the groundwork for his impressive future.
After taking over as head coach in 1981, Riley transformed the Lakers into one of the most thrilling teams in NBA history. Under his leadership, alongside stars Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the team utilized a revolutionary fast-break style of play. During Riley’s coaching stint, the Lakers achieved an impressive record of 533-194 (.733) and secured 102 playoff victories during his nine-year tenure.
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss expressed her admiration for Riley, stating, “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.” She added that her father recognized Riley’s dedication to transforming talented players into a cohesive championship team, emphasizing that the basketball style cultivated during the 1980s continues to serve as the framework for the organization today.
With Riley’s statue, he will join seven other Lakers legends who have previously been honored in Star Plaza, turning the location into a well-visited tourist destination. Other recipients of this recognition include Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and beloved broadcaster Chick Hearn.
Following his time with the Lakers, Riley coached the New York Knicks for four seasons before assuming the roles of both team president and head coach for the Miami Heat in 1995. He has remained president of the Heat ever since, helping them capture another NBA championship in 2006 during his dual tenures as coach.
