When you think about the Los Angeles Lakers, who’s the first person which comes
first? Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Michael Cooper, the
list goes on. You can’t mention those players without former head coach Pat Riley.
Yes, the sharp-dressed man who became one of basketball’s most innovative
head coaches of all-time. His rightful honors and contributions will be revealed in a
statue outside the Lakers plaza with revered legends.
Pat Riley wasn’t your ace in the corner pocket coach. His humble beginnings in
Los Angeles started as a player with the franchise back in 1970; when the Jerry
West led Lakers were battling Boston Celtics. Winning a championship in 1972, as
a reserve role player. From there, a short brief stint in Phoenix before returning
back as broadcaster for Los Angeles.
His coaching experience started in 1979 when then coach Jack McKinney suffered
a near-fatal bicycle accident. As the team had drafted rookie sensation Magic
Johnson, assistant coach Paul Westhead took over and hired Riley as an
assistant coach. With a team which featured Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar, the
Lakers won their first championship in the Westhead/Riley regime. Defeating the
Philadelphia 76ers in six games. With winning comes adversity and repeating as
back to back champions. The Lakers failed to accomplish feat; losing to the
Houston Rockets led by superstar Moses Malone during their quest.
During a turbulent time in new success, Whitehead was fired over his relationship
with Johnson; who became unhappy with his coach. In which became more
awkward for those involved and no sense of who’s the coach? Riley got his
opportunity to become the head coach in 1982. Ushering a new style of basketball
became known as “Showtime.”
Up-tempo fast paced basketball which Riley used from the former head coach
Paul Westhead. He also innovated and employed the `1-3-1 half court trap to pick
the pace of the game. Los Angeles was known for their offense, but won
championships with defense. As he had the mantra “no rebounds, no rings.”
Something he carried through his coaching tenure.
Four championships and countless parades in the city of angels. His most
memorable line came during the 1987 Finals celebration in which he guaranteed a
repeat the following season. It was a big proclamation after having one of the
greatest regular seasons finishing 65-17. Most teams weren’t built to accomplish
this feat during what was a very physical 1980s NBA era. A finesse Lakers team
who played fast and could beat teams with innovative styles was the hottest team
in basketball.
Riley’s tenure with Los Angeles ended with a playoff series loss to the Phoenix
Suns. The “Showtime” era was over as aging superstar Abdul-Jabbar retired after
a well-decorated career, a prime Johnson and Worthy carried the Lakers post Pat
Riley. He stepped back into the broadcast booth for a season before his next
challenge.
Taking the head coaching position out east with the New York Knicks in 1991-92. A
newfound perspective and creating a winning culture in the Big Apple. Bringing the
“Showtime” style and evolving as a coach. With franchise player Patrick Ewing,
Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason and John Starks, the Knicks brought a physical
brand of basketball which emulated some tactics from the “Bad Boys Pistons.”
The playoff battles with Chicago, led by Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Scottie
Pippen and head coach Phil Jackson came with scrutiny. A feud was tense
between both coaches and players during their regular and postseason matches.
This was without warrant as NBA fans clashed over which team could outplay who
and outsmarting coaching schemes. A solid tenure in New York ended in 1995
when Riley bolted the Knicks to Miami. From there, his next challenge in using the
same formula creating another form of “Showtime.” It became his blueprint and
took time in Miami. Having another turnaround and building consistency each
season.
His biggest prize upon stepping down as head coach in 2002 was drafting Heat
legend and hall of fame Dwayne Wade in 2003. From there, his itch to coach was
reborn as Miami had a championship contender. Another trade occurred the
summer of 2004, when prime Shaquille O’Neal was acquired from Los Angeles
after a turbulent exodus in which had everyone scratching their heads.
It all came together midway through the 2006 season, as Riley came back and led
the Heat to their first championship in franchise history. Citing hip and knee
problems, he needed a break to regoup. He finally stepped down as head coach in 2008; naming assistant Erik Spolestra as head coach. Riley was hungry for more as an executive.
In the summer of 2010, one can arguably say signing free agents Chris Bosh and
LeBron James highlights everything he’s ever accomplished. Hosting and
ushering the newly formed “big three” in South Beach to join Dwayne Wade. Miami
became basketball’s most hated team in part of how everything was constructed.
Riley used his “Godfather” recruiting pitch to sign Bosh and James. Displaying his
championship rings and wearing his Armani suits in creating another realm of
“Showtime.” It didn’t come without adversity; as the Heat struggled early in 2011
and James wanting Riley to coach.
Riley had his share of coaching, but he insisted on not doing so that Spolestra
could build his own foundation of winning. “Heat Culture” became even stronger
set by another Heat legend in Udonis Hasslem. Despite all the noise, outcry,
anger, Riley stayed the course and trusted Spolestra to figure it out. He could’ve
easily say: “I built this team with great players; let me coach them.”
Miami went on to four straight finals; winning two of them back to back in 2012 &
2013. Success was credited to everyone involved and became a standard. As he
learned from his departure in Los Angeles, winning a three peat is difficult. The
Heat fell short of this in 2014 against San Antonio; led by Kawhi Leonard who was
scratching the surface as an elite player. All things came to a close as Riley
wanted to keep this team in tact for many more years.
LeBron James left in free agency to return back home and use the blueprint to
success in Cleveland. This left Riley with huge loss as he tried his best to convince
James to stay. Even with Wade recruiting for another run, it wasn’t in James’ best
interest to stay. He accomplished winning and tasting champagne; but would
mean more to his legacy by winning in Cleveland. Riley let his frustrations be
known and everyone pointed the fingers at James for breaking up the Heat
dynasty.
Forward Chris Bosh became the face of Heat basketball; as a twilight Dwayne
Wade’s knees started to dwindle. Miami was still competitive; but the void left by
James bothered Riley. As a fierce competitor and coach, the fire reignited as he
accepted the harsh realities. His passion never left, even in the subpar seasons he
still constructed a solid roster for Spolestra.
In the end, Pat “Godfather” Riley’s legacy as an basketball innovator to
understand where the game was evolving kept his eyes centered on upcoming
talent. Being aggressive in free agency, while attention to details still resonate in
coaching. His schemes and concepts were adaptable; it became contagious.
Riley’s close friendship with Lakers legend Jerry West is known throughout NBA
history.
Two like minded former players and coaches who were several steps ahead of
everyone else. Riley was able to see and visualize his basketball genius through
coaching and executive roles. Winning at each phase of his historic career. Los
Angeles Lakers fans truly appreciated his contributions to basketball and the
franchise itself. He will have a statue among many great Lakers legends who wore
purple and gold. Hopefully, his statue will be a signature Amarni suit and slick back
hair as he still wears today.
Thank you Pat Riley for all you accomplished and achieved in your career. Your
legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of Lakers nation.
Stai tuned...
