Pat Riley: The Man Behind the Showtime Lakers' Glory

In 2026, the Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of legendary figure Pat Riley outside their arena. The ceremony will coincide with a game against the Boston Celtics, a team with whom Riley had many epic battles.

The Heart of the Showtime Era

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 maintained a winning record of over .730 for nearly ten years.

A Legendary Journey

Riley's journey with the Lakers began even before he became a coach. He played for the team from 1970 to 1975, as part of the legendary squad that won 33 games in a row and claimed 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.

Immortalized in Bronze

When Riley's statue goes up, he'll be the eighth Lakers figure to receive 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.