LA Lakers honored franchise legend Pat Riley with the unveiling of a bronze statue at Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena, setting the stage for an emotional night ahead of their home matchup against the Boston Celtics.
The nearly eight-foot-tall, 510-pound sculpture captures Riley in his signature Giorgio Armani suit, complete with a crocodile leather belt and his 1985 championship ring.
Positioned intentionally between Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the statue depicts Riley with his right fist raised — his iconic Showtime-era signal for Johnson to deliver a pass to Abdul-Jabbar for the legendary skyhook.
Pat Riley reflects on legacy
Riley addressed the crowd gathered in downtown LA Lakers for the ceremony, delivering a message that echoed his competitive philosophy.
"I want to thank all of you,” said Pat Riley. “Significance doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from adversity, from discipline, from refusing to be ordinary. One day we look back with the incredible pride and gratitude to have been part of something truly special. That statue right there is loaded up with all of us who took this magical journey.”
The statue’s base further immortalizes his mindset, bearing the inscription: “There will come a time when you are challenged, and when that time comes, you must plant your feet. You must stand firm. You must make a point. About who you are, what you do, and where you come from. When that time comes, you do it.”
It also features Mark 3:25 — “A house divided against itself will not stand” — a verse Riley frequently referenced during the Showtime era.
Celebrating a showtime architect
Under Riley’s leadership, LA Lakers revolutionized the NBA with their fast-break offensive system. He guided the franchise to six championships — four as head coach, one as an assistant, and one as a player. Across 24 head coaching seasons, Riley amassed 1,381 combined regular season and playoff wins, ranking fifth all time.
Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss praised Pat Riley’s impact on the organization and its global fanbase.
“Pat really was a guardian angel for this franchise, its employees and, most important, its fans across the world,” said Jeanie Buss. “In 1981, my father made Pat the team’s head coach and Pat soon became the epitome of an era, the stylish leader of the all-conquering Showtime Lakers. Now, generations of Angelenos will be able to gather here to learn of his achievements and to understand his central role in the history of our team and our city.”
Riley becomes the eighth LA Lakers icon honored at Star Plaza, joining legends such as Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.
The tribute will continue inside the arena with a special halftime ceremony, as fans receive miniature replica statues to commemorate the occasion.