For decades, Pat Riley has been the architect of the Miami Het.
But he’s a Los Angeles Lakers legend whose likeness was set in perpetuity Sunday with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers unveiled the statue prior to Sunday’s home game against the rival Boston Celtics. It fittingly stands between statues of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with whom Riley won four NBA championships as head coach of the “Showtime” Lakers.
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With a host of Lakers icons watching, the curtain was lifted, and Riley’s statue emerged from a flurry of purple and gold confetti. The statue is positioned with Riley holding up his right hand in a fist, his trademark signal for Johnson to deliver a pass to Abdul-Jabbar for a sky hook.
An inscription on the base of the statue features a quote that Riley attributed to his father, Leon Riley:
“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.”
Lakers legends among icons to honor Riley
Riley was among the “Showtime” Lakers royalty present for the unveiling alongside Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, A.C. Green, Bob McAdoo, Kurt Rambis, Norm Nixon and Byron Scott.
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Dwyane Wade, who won three NBA championships under Riley’s leadership with the Heat, was also in attendance. As was notable “Showtime”-era Lakers fan Michael Douglas, who gave a speech about his friendship with Riley.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, whose father, Jerry Buss, hired Riley, hosted the ceremony.
“Forty years ago, Pat was asked by Sports Illustrated what words he associated with coaching. His response was simple: ‘dignity, respect, pride,'” Buss said. “Those are the values he lives by and the ones he embedded here.
“Even though Pat hasn’t worked here for more than three decades, those remain Laker principles in large part because of him. That’s why it was so important to us to recognize Pat with this statue right here in the heart of downtown L.A.”
When the statue was unveiled, Riley smiled and offered a thumbs up in approval.
When Pat Riley raised his fist, that meant give the ball to Kareem.
(MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
The celebration of Riley continued at halftime of Sunday’s game with Johnson emceeing a midcourt ceremony in front of a sold-out crowd.
“I was born to be a Laker in 1970 at the Forum with these guys right here,” Riley said when Johnson handed him the mic, while pointing to the aforementioned former Lakers in the building who were lined up behind him at halfcourt.
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The man known as much for his fashion sense as his basketball acumen, then had jokes.
“And of all of them, there’s only one who has shown me true respect today, and that’s James Worthy, who has a tie on,” Riley continued. “Everybody’s got a little too casual — $2,000 fine for everybody.”
To be fair to Jamaal Wilkes, Wilkes also had a tie on.
Riley, who wore many hats with the Lakers including player and broadcaster before taking over as head coach, then reflected on his time with the team.
“I had the opportunity to meet, to be with, to play with, to coach, to broadcast, to be a traveling secretary and to be a head coach of this team. And it’s the greatest honor I’ve ever had.”
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Current Laker LeBron James, who played under Riley and alongside Wade on two Heat championship teams, was present for the halftime ceremony. He shared a hug with Riley in the tunnel.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, they couldn’t deliver a win over the Celtics to cap Riley’s day. Boston blew the game open after halftime for a 111-89 win.