Pat Riley Honored with Statue in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA – February 22, 2026 – Pat Riley, the architect of the Los Angeles Lakers’ “Showtime” dynasty, received a statue outside Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, becoming the eighth member of the franchise to be so honored . The bronze statue depicts Riley in his signature tailored Armani suit, a nod to his stylish presence during his successful tenure with the team.
A Legacy of Championships
Riley won six NBA championships with the Lakers – one as a player, one as an assistant coach, and four as head coach – during the iconic 1980s “Showtime” era . He guided the Lakers to seven NBA Finals appearances in his nine years as head coach. The statue stands in Star Plaza alongside those of Lakers legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson .
Words from Legends
The unveiling ceremony featured tributes from several prominent figures in Lakers history. Magic Johnson lauded Riley’s impact, stating that he was one of the architects of the “City of Champions” slogan . Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reminisced about his long-standing relationship with Riley, dating back to their high school days in New York . Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade, who both won championships with Riley in Miami, also shared their appreciation through video and in person, respectively.
Riley’s Impact Beyond Los Angeles
While Riley’s roots are firmly planted in Los Angeles, where he spent two decades as a player, broadcaster, and coach, his success extended beyond Southern California. He later achieved significant accomplishments with the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat, where he currently serves as president . He led the Knicks to their first NBA Finals appearance in 21 years in 1994 and coached the Heat to their first championship. He oversaw the Heat’s subsequent two championship wins as team president.
A Motivational Mastermind
O’Neal recalled a story illustrating Riley’s intense coaching style, recounting a practice where Riley held his breath underwater for over four minutes to motivate his team . “That’s how he coached. Everything urgent, everything intense, everything championship level,” O’Neal said. Riley’s leadership was also credited with pushing Magic Johnson to become the focal point of the Lakers’ offense, a shift in strategy that proved highly successful .
Looking Ahead
As he concluded his remarks at the unveiling, Riley alluded to the Lakers’ rivalry with the Boston Celtics, stating, “The time has come to kick some Boston ass” . The statue serves as a lasting tribute to Riley’s profound impact on the Lakers franchise and the sport of basketball.