Pat Riley has been the architect of Miami’s Het for decades.
But he is a Los Angeles Lakers legend, and on Sunday, his likeness was permanently installed outside Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers unveiled the statue before Sunday’s home game against the Boston Celtics. It stands squarely between statues of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with whom he won four NBA championships as head coach of the Showtime Lakers.
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With so many Lakers icons looking on, the curtain was pulled back and a statue of Riley emerged from a sea of purple and gold confetti. Riley balled his right hand into a fist, his signature signal for Johnson to pass to Abdul-Jabbar for an aerial hook.
The inscription on the base of the statue quotes Riley quoting his father, Leon Riley:
“There comes a time when you’re going to be challenged, and when that time comes, you have to stand your ground. You have to take a stand. You have to make a point. About who you are, what you do, where you come from. When that time comes, you just do it.”
Lakers legend pays tribute to Riley
Riley attended the unveiling along with Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, AC Green, Bob McAdoo, Kurt Rambis, Norm Nixon and Byron Scott.
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Dwyane Wade, who led the Heat to three NBA championships with Riley, was also present. Notably, Showtime-era Lakers fan Michael Douglas gave a speech about his friendship with Riley. Lakers Governor Jeanne Buss, whose father, Jerry Buss, hired Riley, officiated at the ceremony.
“Even though Pat has been here for more than three decades, these remain the principles of the Lakers organization in large part because of him,” Buss said. “That’s why it’s so important that we honor Pat with this statue in downtown Los Angeles.”
When the statue was unveiled, Riley smiled and gave a thumbs up in apparent approval.
When Pat Riley raises his fist, it means handing the ball to Kareem.
(Media News Group/Pasadena Star News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Riley’s celebrations continued at halftime of Sunday’s game, with Johnson leading a ceremony in the stands. Also in attendance was current Laker LeBron James, who won two championships with Wade on the Heat under Riley and embraced Riley in the tunnel.
“I was born a Laker, hanging out with these guys, at the Forum in 1970,” Riley said as he took the microphone, pointing to the aforementioned former Lakers in the building who lined up behind him at half court.
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The man known for his fashion sense and basketball acumen then cracked some jokes.
“Out of all of them, only one showed me any real respect today, and that was James Worthy in his tie. Everyone was a little too casual – and everyone was fined $2,000.”
To be fair, Jamaal Wilkes also tied.
Riley, who served in many roles with the Lakers before taking over as head coach, including player and broadcaster, looked back on his time with the team.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet, be together, play together, coach broadcasts, serve as a traveling secretary and be the head coach of this team. It’s the greatest honor I’ve ever had.”
