Sunday night was a special one for the Los Angeles Lakers as they honored the legendary Pat Riley before their game against the Boston Celtics. With a storied history that includes masterminding the "Showtime" era, Riley's influence on the franchise is undeniable. Lakers head coach JJ Redick took a moment to reflect on Riley's legacy, sharing how it has shaped his own coaching journey.
Redick spoke candidly about the comparisons between himself and Riley, acknowledging the impact Riley has had on the evolution of NBA coaching. He said, “Pat set the standard for modern NBA coaches.
I see the NBA in two eras, with the modern game beginning around the time of the merger and the Lakers' iconic running game. Pat defined what a modern coach should be.”
The evening also featured the unveiling of Riley’s statue, a tribute to his enduring legacy. Redick commented on the statue, noting, “It’s a good-looking statue. We took our time to get it right, and I think it turned out well.”
Riley's tenure with the Lakers was marked by remarkable success, including four NBA championships and back-to-back victories in 1987 and 1988. Notably, he remains the only Lakers coach to have defeated the Boston Celtics twice in the NBA Finals. With the statue unveiling coinciding with a Lakers-Celtics matchup, Redick expressed his appreciation for being part of this historic rivalry.
“Understanding the significance of this rivalry is an honor,” Redick said. “I experienced something similar with the Duke-UNC rivalry, and being part of this tradition is just as special.”
The Lakers-Celtics rivalry is one of the most storied in NBA history. Although Boston leads in head-to-head matchups, the Lakers have consistently remained competitive. As they prepare for another chapter in this rivalry, Redick aims to guide his team to victory.
In a reciprocal show of respect, Pat Riley praised Redick’s coaching potential. During a media session, Riley shared, “I love JJ.
Competing against him was always tough. He’s fiery, a great shooter, and tough as nails.
I see qualities in him that go above and beyond. I believe he’ll be a great coach for the Lakers.”
Riley's endorsement is a promising sign for Redick, though it also brings heightened expectations. Currently, the Lakers hold a solid fifth place in the West with a 34-21 record. While they’re in a good position, there’s still work to be done to establish themselves as true title contenders, a challenge Redick is undoubtedly ready to tackle.