{"id":178615,"date":"2026-02-22T17:16:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T22:16:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=178615"},"modified":"2026-02-22T17:27:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T22:27:56","slug":"lakers-unveil-pat-rileys-statue-ahead-of-rivalry-matchup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/22\/lakers-unveil-pat-rileys-statue-ahead-of-rivalry-matchup\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Unveil Pat Riley’s Statue Ahead of Rivalry Matchup"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe Godfather of Showtime\u201d is now immortalized in bronze.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the Lakers\u2019 afternoon duel against the Boston Celtics, the team honored Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley with a statue outside of Crypto.com Arena. The <\/span>statue<\/span> sits near those of his former players, <\/span>Magic Johnson<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>It <\/span>features<\/span><\/a> Riley in his iconic Armani suit and slick-back hair with his left hand to his hip and right fist in the air, a signal for Johnson to find Abdul-Jabbar for his patented skyhook.<\/span><\/p>\n

The base of the statue also includes the following inscription: \u201cThere will come a time when you are 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 time comes, you do it.\u201d<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat statue right there is loaded up with all of us who took that magical journey,\u201d Riley said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Unveil Pat Riley’s Statue Ahead of Rivalry Matchup<\/h2>\n

Riley\u2019s Statue Ceremony Features Tributes from Lakers, Heat<\/h3>\n
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First look at Pat Riley\u2019s statue in front of Crypto Arena.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s the first Lakers coach with a statue \ud83e\udee1<\/p>\n

(via @Lakers<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/mm34EsiNop<\/a><\/p>\n

— Overtime (@overtime) February 22, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n