The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of former coach Pat Riley on Feb. The Lakers will fittingly honor Riley against their long-time rival, the Boston Celtics. He led the Lakers through one of the most dynamic eras for any team in NBA history.
22, as the Hall of Famer joins the likes of former team greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant in bronze outside their downtown arena. With Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar leading an exciting roster with a groundbreaking fast-break offense, the Lakers went 533-194 (.733) in Riley’s tenure and added 102 playoff victories over nine seasons.
Riley coached the Lakers from from 1981 to 1990 during the team’s “Showtime” era and won four NBA championships (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988).
Riley’s Coaching Legacy and Influence
Pat Riley, now 80 years old, has had a storied coaching career in the NBA. He achieved remarkable success with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning at least 50 games in each of his nine seasons as head coach. Notably, the Lakers recorded at least 60 wins in five consecutive seasons during his tenure. His excellence was recognized when he was named NBA Coach of the Year in the 1989-90 season.
Beyond the Lakers, Riley’s coaching journey included stints with the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat. He secured another championship with the Heat in 2006 and currently holds the position of team president, continuing to shape the franchise’s future.
