The Lakers have made a very deliberate, yet appropriate choice as to when they’ll be revealing Pat Riley’s statue.
Riley, naturally, is associated with the Celtics given the rivalry the Lakers had with them during the 1980s. Of his four titles, two came against Boston. That rivalry didn’t end when he left the Lakers either as his disdain has been ever-present during his time in New York and Miami.
Across his nine seasons as Lakers head coach, spanning the near entirety of the 80s, Riley amassed 533 wins and a remarkable 102-47 (.685) record in the playoffs. He was also named Coach of the Year in the 1989-90 season, an award he somehow had not won previously.
Some might have guessed that his statue ceremony would have come when the Heat visited the Lakers, considering his role in the Heat front office now. However, it is far more fitting and, more importantly, more petty to do it against the Celtics.
Celtics games already have a certain energy around them, so adding a statue unveiling for Riley to the mix and there will be a bit more to it. Last year, the Lakers earned a big win over the Celtics at home and if they repeat that feat this year, it’ll feel extra sweet.
And, hopefully, it’ll be one more achievement against the Celtics for Pat Riley to add to his long list.