In a memorable tribute to the legendary Pat Riley, former Los Angeles Lakers coach, Hollywood icon Michael Douglas brought a touch of nostalgia and humor. At the unveiling of Riley's statue, Douglas playfully admitted that his iconic Wall Street character, Gordon Gekko, borrowed a style cue from Riley himself.
Douglas quipped, “And yes, I am going to have to confess that Gordon Gekko's hairdo came from Pat Riley,” drawing laughter from the crowd. This nod to the 1987 film, where Douglas starred alongside Charlie Sheen and Daryl Hannah, added a lighthearted moment to the ceremony.
Riley's legacy with the Lakers is nothing short of monumental. He played for the team from 1970 to 1975, contributing to their 1972 NBA Finals victory.
Transitioning from player to coach, Riley joined the Lakers' coaching staff in 1979 and took the helm as head coach in 1981. Under his leadership, the Lakers clinched four NBA Championships in 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988, adding to their 1980 victory when Riley was an assistant.
Riley's coaching journey continued with the New York Knicks from 1991 to 1995, followed by a successful stint with the Miami Heat, where he secured another NBA Championship. As an executive, Riley further cemented his legacy, guiding the Heat to consecutive titles in 2012 and 2013 with the formidable trio of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade.
Now, with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena, Riley stands immortalized alongside Lakers legends like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This honor reflects not only his achievements but also the indelible mark he left on the game.
“Gordon Gekko’s hairdo came from Pat Riley” - Michael Douglas on finding inspiration for his iconic role in the movie Wall Street from the Hall of Fame Lakers coach pic.twitter.com/TERNYPDLpq
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 22, 2026