wintime999 The Los Angeles Lakers franchise has requested permission to build a statue honoring Pat Riley, a former player and head coach for the team during its 1970s and 1980s. wintime999

The team said in a statement that the statue is expected to be completed in 2026 and installed at Star Plaza, just before the main entrance to Crypto.com Arena.

The Purple and Gold now have seven statues of former players: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Chic Hearn and Kobe Bryant. 

“Pat is a Lakers icon,” franchise owner Jeanie Buss said in a statement. 

“His professionalism, his reliable performance and the coach’s preparation before the game have become the model we see throughout the league today.”  

Riley, now 79, is the Miami Heat’s vice president of basketball operations. Back in the ’80s, he was the Lakers’ head coach during their heyday, dubbed “Showtime.” 

His achievements include winning four NBA titles in seven years on the position, and making two Finals appearances. 

In 1988, he became the first head coach since Boston Celtics legend Red Oylbach (1965, 1966 champion) to win back-to-back NBA titles, starting with the 1987 parade.  

Before that, he served as assistant head coach for Paul Westhead on the 1980 NBA championship team. 

Or when he was a player, the Lakers won the  1971-72  championship in his second year with the team, ending an  18  -year wait for an NBA championship. He wore the  ‘ purple and gold ‘ uniform for 5  and a half years.    ( wintime999 )