Lakers unveil Pat Riley statue: Icons Magic Johnson, Kare...

What’s Happening

Listen up: Riley led the Showtime Lakers to four NBA titles as coach during the 1980s Lakers unveil Pat Riley statue: Icons Magic Johnson, Kareem-Abdul Jabbar laud team’s first coach to get honor Riley led the ‘Showtime Lakers’ to four NBA titles as coach during the 1980s By Bryan DeArdo Feb 22, 2026 at 6:46 pm ET • 4 min read In a career that has been filled with memorable moments, Pat Riley made history once again on Sunday first Los Angeles Lakers coach to receive a statue.

Riley, who has served as the Miami Heat’s president since 1995, was back in Los Angeles this weekend as the Lakers made him the eighth member of the franchise to receive a statue outside Crypto. Riley clutched six NBA titles with the Lakers that included one as a player, one as an assistant coach and four as head coach during franchise’s iconic “Showtime” era during the 1980s. (plot twist fr)

The statue depicts Riley with his patented slicked back hair and dressed in one of his tailored Armani suits.

The Details

The statue also includes the following quote Riley that has long attributed to his father, the same quote he referenced during his famous pregame speech that helped spearhead the Lakers’ comeback over the Boston Celtics during the 1985 NBA Finals: “There will come a time when you are challenged. And when that time comes, you must plant your feet.

About who you are, what you do, and where you come from. And when that time comes, you do it.

Why This Matters

” A Lakers icon forever enshrined. Com/pn8bGJtAs1 — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) Showtime legend. Here’s to one of the greatest coaches of all time.

This is the kind of move that can define a season.

The Bottom Line

Com/IIJtActHhe — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) What a moment for Pat Riley 🥹 The 4x champion in LA has become the first @Lakers coach with a statue! Com/PXh7GafuZj — NBA (@NBA) Several prominent figures in Lakers history spoke at the statue unveiling, including Showtime stars Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

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