Los Angeles Lakers to Honor Pat Riley with Statue at Crypto.com Arena

The Los Angeles Lakers have announced plans to immortalize Pat Riley, a legendary figure in the basketball world, with a statue outside the Crypto.com Arena on Star Plaza. Riley, recognized for his profound impact on the Lakers and the NBA, served as the team’s head coach in the 1980s, leading them to four championship victories and a total of seven NBA Finals appearances.

Jeanie Buss, the controlling governor and president of the Lakers, elaborated on the decision, 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. My dad, Jerry Buss, recognized Pat’s obsession and ability to take talented players and coalesce them into a championship team.»

Riley’s coaching tenure with the Lakers, known for revolutionizing the game with his fast-break offense, defined the celebrated Showtime era. Over his nine seasons as head coach, Riley achieved a remarkable regular-season record of 533-194 and a postseason record of 102-47. Each season under his leadership saw the Lakers winning 50 or more games, including five instances of 60-plus wins. His leadership earned him the NBA Coach of the Year award in his final season with the Lakers in 1989-1990.

This upcoming statue will position Riley among other Lakers legends who have been honored at the Star Plaza. The esteemed list includes Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Jerry West. The statue is scheduled for completion in 2026, with an official unveiling date to be announced later.

Pat Riley joined the Lakers in 1979 as an assistant coach under Paul Westhead and played a crucial role in steering the Lakers to the 1980 NBA Championship. His playing career with the Lakers saw him as a member of the 1971-72 team that set a record with 33 consecutive wins and secured the NBA title.

Reflecting on Riley’s contributions during a video call, Jeanie Buss was joined by Lakers greats, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Cooper, A.C. Green, Magic Johnson, Kurt Rambis, James Worthy, Vlade Divac, Karen West, and Chris Riley. These figures celebrated Riley’s distinguished career and his enduring influence on the Lakers’ philosophies and strategies.