Pat Riley: The Man Behind the Showtime Lakers' Glory

Pat Riley is about to get a big honor. In 2026, the Los Angeles Lakers will put up a statue of him outside their arena. This isn't just any regular night. The statue will be unveiled when the Lakers play against the Boston Celtics, a team Riley had some epic battles with. Riley wasn't just a coach; he was the heart of the Showtime era. With stars like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy, the Lakers were unstoppable. They played fast and won big. Under Riley, the team had a winning record of over . 730 for nearly ten years. That's impressive! But Riley's journey with the Lakers started even before he became a coach. He played for the team from 1970 to 1975. He was part of the legendary squad that won 33 games in a row and took home the NBA title in 1972.After his time in Los Angeles, Riley moved on to coach other teams. He led the New York Knicks and later the Miami Heat, where he won another championship in 2006. Even now, he's still involved with the Heat as their team president. Last season, they named their court after him, showing just how much they respect him. When Riley's statue goes up, he'll be the eighth Lakers figure to get this honor. He'll join the likes of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and others. Riley's teams didn't just win; they set a standard. They won 50 or more games every year and even crossed the 60-win mark in five straight seasons. In 1990, his final year with the Lakers, he was named Coach of the Year. Now, one of the greatest coaches in NBA history will be immortalized in bronze. This statue will stand in the city that made the Showtime era legendary.