The Lakers are finally doing something that was long due – a statue for their legendary ‘showtime’ coach outside Crypto.com Arena. Recognizing Pat Riley, whose influence shaped an era of basketball greatness, deserves a statue. The statue will, forever, remind fans of his lasting impact on the franchise and the game.

Now, Riley will become the eighth to join this prestigious group with his own statue. Better late than never, right? The Lakers already have statues of other legends like Kobe Bryant, Jerry West, and Shaquille O’Neal, among others. Riley will once again be alongside Magic—this time forever.

Pat Riley isn’t just a coach; he’s a legend. His career, spanning decades, has had an undeniable impact on the NBA. From his time as a player with the Lakers to becoming one of the most decorated coaches, Riley’s journey is legendary. Known for his intense demeanor, sharp suits, and brilliant mind, Riley crafted championship teams and shaped a winning culture wherever he went. All this isn’t just our opinion.

Jeanie Buss, who owns 66% of the Lakers, agrees. She said, “Pat is a Lakers icon. His professionalism, commitment to his craft, and game preparation paved the way for coaching across the league. My dad recognized Pat’s obsession and ability to turn talented players into a championship team.”

Buss also emphasized Pat Riley’s vision from the ’80s still influences the modern NBA. “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,” added Buss. The face of the showtime Lakers also congratulated his former boss.

Magic Johnson joins others in paying tribute to his former boss Pat Riley

Magic Johnson posted on X, “Congratulations to, in my opinion, the greatest coach to ever grace the NBA! A huge thank you to Jeanie Buss for making this moment possible. All of his Showtime players are thrilled to see this well-deserved statue come to life!” Johnson won 4 titles with Riley at the helm and one when Riley was assistant coach.

Pat Riley’s journey in basketball began as a player, spending 10 seasons in the NBA, with five of those in Los Angeles. During his stint with the Lakers, he contributed to their 1972 championship victory. After retiring, Riley transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant for the Lakers during the 1979-80 season. His promotion to head coach came in the 1981-82 season, following Paul Westhead’s dismissal.

Riley’s courtside presence became iconic, symbolizing a culture of winning. It wasn’t just about winning for Riley; his fast-break style stood out, especially with Magic Johnson running point guard. This approach birthed the legendary Showtime Lakers, a team that dominated the 1980s and set the bar for NBA greatness. Even today, the Showtime era is still regarded as one of the gold standards in NBA history. The combination of fast-paced offense and Johnson’s leadership made this team unforgettable. Under his leadership, the Lakers captured titles in 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. After the team fell to the Suns in the 1990 Western Conference semifinals, Riley stepped down.

His success didn’t stop there—he brought championship glory to the Miami Heat as head coach and team president in 2006. As an executive, Pat Riley added two more titles to his collection with the Heat in 2013 and 2014.

Johnson and Riley formed one of the greatest player-coach duos in NBA history. Together, they redefined the game, making the Lakers synonymous with ‘Showtime.’