Dwyane Wade, Pat Riley
The Los Angeles Lakers honored Pat Riley with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, making him the first coach in franchise history to receive that distinction, per CBS Sports. At the ceremony, Riley reflected on leadership, legacy, and the players who defined his career. He also delivered a powerful endorsement of Dwyane Wade that quickly captured attention.
Riley built his legacy in Los Angeles during the “Showtime” era, winning six championships with the organization, one as a player, one as an assistant, and four as head coach.
“I say this with all honesty,” Riley said. “I’ve watched them, my teams competed against Michael Jordan to the nail, and Kobe to the nail. If you look at Dwyane Wade and his style of play, he was right in that basket of how they played. You know, when he was young and athletic. Big hands, and long arms. What a competitive attitude he had, all 3 of those guys. All 3 of them had the DNA in them. Dwyane was special.”
By placing Wade alongside Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, Riley made clear how he views the former Heat star’s place in history.
Riley Credits Wade’s DNA and Work Ethic
Riley has served as president of the Miami Heat since 1995, and he drafted Wade with the fifth overall pick in 2003. At the time, Wade arrived as an explosive but still developing guard. Riley saw something deeper.
“I put the DNA of the Lakers in him,” Riley said, Basketball Network reports. “He came in as a rookie. He was raw, great, gifted, talented, cocky, sure of himself, and I never saw a young man work harder than Dwyane Wade to become one of the greatest players ever. Definitely the greatest player in the history of the Miami Heat.”
Wade rewarded that belief. In the 2006 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, he averaged 34.7 points per game and led Miami back from a 2-0 deficit to capture the franchise’s first championship. His 39-point outings in the final four games sealed the title and cemented his reputation as one of the league’s fiercest competitors.
Wade Responds With Emotional Tribute
Wade also spoke at the unveiling, joining Lakers legends such as Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, while Shaquille O’Neal appeared in a video message. Heat owner Micky Arison attended as well.
Wade’s message to Riley carried emotion and gratitude.
“When that man believed in me, drafted me, and gave me opportunity to show the world who I was and who I could become, it simply changed my life,” Wade said. “Pat gave me foundation, discipline, he gave me standards, he gave me love and care. Even when it was tough. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for demanding greatness. Your legacy is excellence, your legacy is culture, and your legacy is forever. You earned this, I love you.”
Riley’s statue honors his Lakers chapter, but his words about Wade reminded everyone that his influence stretches far beyond Los Angeles. In Riley’s eyes, Wade does not just belong in Heat history. He belongs in the same conversation as basketball’s fiercest icons.