Riley’s Monumental Moment…
Mark your calendars! On February 22, 2026, at Star Plaza, the Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue for the legendary Pat Riley just before they take on the Boston Celtics. Riley may be the only coach sharp enough to cut through steel with his perfectly slicked-back hair and famed for leading the ‘Showtime’ Lakers to four NBA Championships in the 80s. This includes taking down the Celtics in the Finals, something no Lakers coach had done before him. A feat so daring, it had birds of Boston quivering in their feathers.
Riley, whose coaching success could probably turn microwaves into Ferraris, also notched up 102-47 in the playoffs and secured at least 50 wins in each of his nine seasons. He also didn’t just coach; he played for the Lakers, part of a team that won 33 games in a row—a streak more impressive than a cat avoiding a bath. While Riley moved on to build his legacy further with the Knicks and Heat, the Lakers will face his current team, the Miami Heat, early this season as part of their routine rivalry check-up.
