Pat Riley to Be Honored with a Statue at Crypto.com Arena
The Los Angeles Lakers have announced that a statue of Pat Riley will be erected at the iconic "Star Plaza" outside the Crypto.com Arena. This decision honors Riley for his monumental contributions to the franchise as both a player and a coach, marking him a legendary figure in basketball history.
Riley, who is currently the team president for the Miami Heat, will become the first Lakers coach to receive a statue outside the arena. The statue will be the eighth at Crypto.com Arena and is expected to be completed by 2026.
His legacy as a Laker is illustrious, having secured a total of six championships with the team. As a player, Riley was part of the 1972 title-winning Lakers. Transitioning to coaching, he became an instrumental figure in the Lakers' golden era. He played a crucial role in capturing the 1980 championship as an assistant coach and led the team to four more titles in 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988 as the head coach.
A recent video call revealed the decision to honor Riley with a statue, with Lakers President Jeanie Buss at the forefront of the announcement. Joining the call were Lakers icons Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy, reflecting Rileys strong relationships and influence on the franchise.
In reflecting on the honor, Riley expressed, "This is beyond even my imagination of a reward for a man's life's work." His humbleness belies the significant impact he has had not only on the Lakers but on basketball as a whole. Jeanie Buss spoke highly of Riley's influence, stating, "Pat is a Lakers icon. His professionalism, commitment to his craft, and game preparation paved the way for the coaching we see across the league today."
Buss further highlighted Riley's transformative role, reminiscing on how the style of basketball he and the Lakers crafted in the '80s has become the blueprint for the organization's modern identity. "An entertaining and winning team," she described, emphasizing that the legacy of those years continues to shape the Lakers’ culture and playstyle.
For Buss, the recognition of Riley's visionary abilities extends beyond just tangible success on the court. She recounted her father, Jerry Buss, recognizing Riley's unique ability to "coalesce talented players into a championship team” as critical to the Lakers' enduring success.
While his feats with the Lakers are being celebrated, Riley’s legacy also prominently features his achievements with the Miami Heat. Notably, the Heat have named their home court in his honor, highlighting his dual impact across the NBA landscape.
Pat Riley's story is one of grit, charisma, and tactical genius, leaving a lasting imprint on every facet of the sport. The upcoming statue will serve as an enduring testament to his extraordinary legacy, immortalizing his contributions to not only the Lakers but to basketball as a whole.
Fans and admirers can anticipate visiting this tribute to a basketball luminary in 2026 when the statue is expected to stand proudly alongside other revered figures of the sport.