A Showtime legend immortalized : Pat Riley honored with statue by the Lakers:

The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled Pat Riley’s statue on Sunday in front of Crypto.com Arena, before their game against the Boston Celtics. This bronze statue stands 8 feet tall and weighs 509 pounds, depicting Riley in his signature Giorgio Armani suit, raising his right fist – the iconic signal for Magic Johnson to pass the ball to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for his legendary skyhook.

A symbolic location between Magic and Kareem

Riley’s statue was strategically placed between those of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, his two superstars he led to four NBA titles (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) during the Showtime era. This position perfectly symbolizes the central role he played in this 1980s dynasty.

« I don’t know how I got here, but I’m here and now there’s a statue out there, » Riley said during the ceremony. « I am so grateful. It’s beyond gratitude. I am so grateful to be honored and to be with those who are the giants on whose shoulders I jumped and who carried me. »

Pat Riley’s statue has been unveiled in Los Angeles!

9 years.
7 finals.
4 championships.

Congrats to the Godfather of Showtime 👏 pic.twitter.com/QvwBuGuvGZ

— NBA (@NBA) February 22, 2026

The base of the statue bears an inscription attributed to his father Leon Riley: « There will come a time when you will be 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 moment arrives, you do it. »

A ceremony bringing together Showtime legends

The ceremony brought together many Lakers legends, including Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Byron Scott, A.C. Green, Bob McAdoo and Kurt Rambis. Dwyane Wade, who won three NBA titles under Riley’s leadership in Miami, was also present, as was actor Michael Douglas, a longtime friend of Riley.

Douglas revealed a surprising anecdote: « I was with Pat, we went to Miami, we were driving in his red Mercury convertible. I was sitting in the back, I was looking at Pat driving and I said: ‘His hair doesn’t move! It’s a convertible!’ and I said that’s how I wanted to go. » This slicked-back hairstyle inspired his character Gordon Gekko in « Wall Street ».

Riley, true to his reputation, concluded his speech with flair: « The time has come to kick some ass. To kick Boston’s ass. » A statement reminiscent of his legendary 1987 guarantee, when he promised a consecutive title after the victory against the Celtics.

Riley thus becomes the eighth Laker to be honored with a statue on Star Plaza, joining Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Chick Hearn, Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry West, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He is also the first coach in franchise history to receive this supreme honor.