We do not know if the Lakers will choose the same sculptor as for the Dwyane Wade statue, but the franchise announced this Monday that Pat Riley will be honored by a statue that will be erected in front of the Crypto.com Arena on Star Plaza. The current president of the Heat made Lakers history by spending nine seasons at the helm of the team, guiding them to four NBA titles (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) and seven appearances in the NBA Finals. It was under his leadership, with Magic Johnson as leader, that the team embodied the “Showtime” era.
“Pat is a Lakers icon. His professionalism, commitment and preparation before games paved the way for what we see in NBA coaches today.” explained Jeannie Bussthe co-owner of the franchise. “My father, Jerry Buss, recognized his obsession with the game and his ability to unite 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: an entertaining, winning team. »
In front of Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers have already erected statues of Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and more recently Kobe Bryant.
