In Los Angeles, a statue honoring the elegant Pat Riley

As a symbol, it was before a game against his “best enemies” the Celtics Pat Riley unveiled his statue in Los Angelesin front of Cripto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center). The franchise where he finally experienced the best hours of his NBA career.

Brain of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on “Showtime” in the 1980s, after first being Paul Weshead’s right-hand man, he led Lakers four titles as a coach (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) and another title as an assistant (1980). Before that, he also won the title as a player for “Purple & Gold” (1972).

« I’m done here. I don’t know how I got there, but here I am and there is my statue now… » he rejoiced the current president of the Heat, during his ceremony organized in front of many NBA personalities yesterday (Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dwyane Wade) and today (Genie Bass). ” I feel so grateful. Indeed. It goes beyond gratitude. I feel so grateful to be honored and to stand with all these giants. Those on whose shoulders I climbed and who carried me. It’s thanks to them. »

In a Giorgio Armani suit, of course

Made of bronze, the statue measures almost 2.40 meters and weighs more than 230 kilograms. There is also a quote from his book The Winner Within : “There will come a time when you will be challenged and when that time comes, you will have to stand your ground. You will have to stand firm. You will have to affirm who you are, what you do, and where you come from. When that moment comes, do it.”

For the record, Pat Riley is shown with his right fist raised to the sky, the signal used by the “Showtime Lakers” for Magic Johnson to pass the ball to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for his “skyhook,” and he’s wearing a Giorgio Armani suit with a crocodile leather belt.

« I met Mr. Armani in 1978 in Milan and he started creating pieces for me around that time » he said, referring to his style of clothing. ” A lot of people go back to vintage Armani, the one from the 1980s/90s. I didn’t have to buy anything: I just went into my closet, took them out, cut them again and they instantly had a more contemporary look. »

So put back the suit and tie!

More specifically, Pat Riley also took the opportunity to campaign for the return of elegance to NBA benches.

« I’d like to go back to the suit and tie » said the man who also coached the Knicks and the Heat, as the league loosened its “dress code” for coaches. ” I think the public wants to see someone on the field who looks like a leader, dresses like a leader and acts like a leader. »

Note that Pat Riley becomes the eighth Laker to have his own statue in Star Plaza, after Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and commentator Chick Hearn. He thus becomes the first coach to whom the franchise has been honored in this way.

Named the 1990 Coach of the Year, the first time a Los Angeles coach, “The Godfather” posted a 73% regular season win rate and 69% playoff win percentage on the California bench.

« Pat is a Lakers icon. His professionalism, dedication and preparation before games paved the way for what we see in NBA coaches today. » explained Jeannie Bussin November. ” My father, Jerry Buss, recognized his obsession with the game, his ability to assemble talented players into a championship team. The style of basketball that Pat and the Lakers created in the 1980s is still the model for the organization today: a winning, entertaining team. »

A sign of Pat Riley’s influence in Los Angeles, even outside of basketball: the actor Michael Douglas he explained during the ceremony that the style of his character in the movie Wall Street, Gordon Gekkoand especially his hairstyle, was inspired by the coach of the Lakers!

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.