Pat’s statue
“Showtime” with the Los Angeles Lakers was from 1981 to 1990 and my generation can identify it as one of the most spirited eras for any team in pro basketball history. Leading the Showtime band was Patrick James Riley.
Pat Riley’s 9 seasons of “Showtime” had him appear in 7 NBA Finals, winning 4 (1982, 1985 and the ‘guaranteed’ back-to-back in 1987 and 1988). Winning at least 50 games each season during his tenure, Riley posted a 73% winning percentage and had 102 post season victories.
Prior to coaching, Riley played for the Lakers from 1970 to 1975 and was part of the 1971-1972 title team, winning a league record 33 consecutive games. After his playing career, he was a Laker broadcaster until he became Paul Westhead’s assistant in 1979.
Immortalized in bronze, Riley’s statue was unveiled last Sunday outside the entrance to the Crypto.com Arena, before the Lakers’ home game against the Celtics, which they miserably lost. Witnessing the blowout loss, Laker great James Worthy said the current Lakers disrespected the uniform.
The 8-foot, 510-pound statue has Riley’s right fist raised high up in the air, which during that time means give the ball to Kareem. And naturally, the details had his trademark slick hairstyle and crisp Armani suit.
He’s the 8th Laker honored with a statue on Star Plaza together with Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and long time Laker broadcaster Chick Hearn.
After his Laker tour, Riley had successful stints in New York and in Miami, leading to the team’s first title in 2006. At 80-years-old, he’s still serving as the Heat’s president since 2008.
Riley was the 13th coach in Lakers’ franchise history.
- Latest
