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The Los Angeles Lakers plan to erect a statue honoring former coach Pat Riley outside their downtown arena.
The Lakers announced Monday that they have commissioned a statue to stand in Star Plaza to immortalize the four-time championship-winning coach of the 1980s “Showtime” Lakers. Riley also won a championship ring with the Lakers as a player and assistant coach.
Riley, 79, has spent the past 30 years with the Miami Heat as a coach and executive, but his NBA roots are firmly planted with the Lakers. He played in Los Angeles from 1970 to 1975 and was the team’s announcer until 1979, when he became an assistant to Paul Westhead.
He became head coach in 1981 and led the Lakers through one of the most dynamic eras in NBA history. With Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leading an exciting roster with a groundbreaking fast-break offense, the Lakers went 533-194 (.733) during Riley’s tenure and were nearly outstanding in nine seasons. They added 102 wins in the playoffs.
“Pat is a Lakers icon,” Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “His professionalism, commitment to his craft, and game preparation paved the way for the coaching seen throughout the league today. They recognized the ability to put things together. The style of basketball that the Pats and the Lakers created in the ’80s is still the blueprint for this organization, making them a fun and winning team.”
Riley becomes the eighth Lakers celebrity to be honored with a statue at Star Plaza, which has become a popular tourist attraction for fans of the globally popular franchise. Others include Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and broadcaster Chick Hearn.
Current Lakers coach JJ Redick said after Monday’s practice that Riley’s honor is “deserved.” Last summer, Reddick and his family prepared for his new job by watching Hulu’s 10-part documentary about the series, “Legacy: The True Story of the Los Angeles Lakers,” which features Riley prominently.
“He’s a basketball legend and he’s obviously done a lot for this franchise,” Reddick said. “He’s had a tremendous impact on the game and every franchise he’s been with, especially the Lakers, so I’m very happy for him.”
Riley coached the New York Knicks for four seasons before becoming the Heat’s team president and coach in 1995. He has been Miami’s president ever since, winning another NBA title in 2006 during his two stints as the Heat’s head coach.
Just last month, the Heat named a court at their downtown arena after Riley in a ceremony attended by many former players.
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