Pat Riley’s impact on the NBA is massive and cannot be measured.
He has done so much for the league and especially the teams he has worked for.
On Monday morning, the Los Angeles Lakers announced they were building a statue to celebrate Riley and his years coaching in the 1980s.
Chris Haynes reported the news, posting a statement from the team and owner Jeanie Buss:
“Pat is a Lakers icon,” said Jeanie Buss. “His professionalism, commitment to his craft and game preparation paved the way for the coaching we see across the league today. My dad recognized Pat’s obsession and ability to take talented players and coalesce them into a championship team. The style of basketball Pat and the Lakers created in the 80s is still the blueprint for the organization today: an entertaining and winning team.”
Los Angeles Lakers announced they have commissioned a statue of Pat Riley to join Lakers legends on Star Plaza outside of https://t.co/aSaOHCG67S Arena.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 18, 2024
Riley got his start as an assistant coach for the Lakers but always dreamed of making his way up to the big job.
He got his wish in 1981-82, his first season as head coach of the Lakers.
Over the next nine seasons, Riley secured an astonishing 533-194 record and turned the team into the Showtime Lakers that altered the league forever.
Riley’s squad transformed how people played and watched basketball and things were never the same after that.
He was Coach of the Month numerous times and also Coach of the Year in 1989-90.
Following his years with the Lakers, Riley went on to lead the New York Knicks and Miami Heat.
Today, he is still with the Heat but is no longer coaching and now runs things behind the scenes.
Even though he is actively trying to defeat the Lakers these days, Riley is still LA royalty.
The team, and the league, would not be where it is today if it wasn’t for Riley so this statue is very appropriate.
Fans can expect more news about this Riley statue in the near future.
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