Photo: Zac Schuss, @zacschuss

The Los Angeles Lakers will pay tribute to one of the most iconic figures in franchise history, Pat Riley, by immortalizing him with a statue outside their arena.

According to an Associated Press report, the unveiling ceremony is scheduled for February 22, when the Lakers will face their storied rivals, the Boston Celtics.

Riley’s connection to the Lakers spans decades and multiple roles. He first joined the team as a player, spending more than five seasons in Los Angeles during his nine-year NBA career.

As a reserve guard, he played a part in the Lakers’ 1971-72 championship team, which famously set an NBA record with 33 consecutive victories – a mark that still stands today.

Following his retirement from playing, Riley transitioned into broadcasting for the Lakers before joining the coaching staff as an assistant.

In 1981-82, Riley took over as head coach, launching a golden era that became known as “Showtime.” His nine-season tenure through the 1989-90 campaign ranks among the most successful in league history.

Under his leadership, the Lakers captured four NBA championships, reached the Finals seven times, and never won fewer than 50 games in a season. Remarkably, they topped the 60-win plateau on five occasions.

By the end of his Lakers coaching career, Riley had amassed an outstanding 533-194 regular-season record, translating to a .733 winning percentage, along with a 102-47 playoff record (.685).

He later found more success with the Miami Heat, winning another championship as head coach in 2006.

For the past three decades, Riley has served as Miami’s president and chief basketball architect, a role in which he remains active at age 80. The Heat honored him in October by naming their home court after him.

When his statue is unveiled, Riley will join a distinguished group of Lakers legends already commemorated outside the arena: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal, and beloved broadcaster Chick Hearn.

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