The Los Angeles Lakers have unveiled a statue of their legendary coach Pat Riley, recognizing his immense contributions to the team’s success. The 8-foot bronze statue, located outside (link unavailable) Arena, captures Riley in one of his signature Armani suits, with his fist raised in triumph. This iconic pose was a signal for his players to get the ball down low to center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a key part of the Lakers’ championship strategy.
Riley’s tenure as head coach from 1981 to 1990 saw the team win four NBA titles and reach seven NBA Finals. Lakers governor Jeanie Buss praised Riley as a “guardian angel for this franchise,” while Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, two of the team’s greatest players, also paid tribute to their former coach. The statue is the eighth to be installed in Star Plaza, joining those of other Lakers legends like Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Jerry West.
