Pat Riley becomes the first head coach in Lakers history to have a statue erected in his honor.

This Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers will experience a historic moment as a bronze statue of legendary head coach Pat Riley will be officially unveiled in the plaza outside Crypto.com Arena.

Riley will not only stand alongside legends such as Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Jerry West, but will also become the first coach in Lakers history to receive this honor.

As one of the league's earliest "player-coach" and a fashion icon, Riley's statue will accurately capture his iconic image: his meticulously slicked-back hair, crisp white shirt collar, impeccably tailored suit, and upright, commanding posture.

In the 1980s, Riley single-handedly created the highly bankable "Showtime" basketball. He not only gave the team a flashy and unrestrained style of play, but also laid a solid defensive foundation (as he famously said: "No rebounds, no championships").

He led the Lakers to four NBA championships and boldly promised to defend their title at the 1987 championship celebration. Riley subsequently fulfilled his promise, leading the team to become the first team in 18 years to win back-to-back championships. He is also the trademark holder for the term "three-peat."

The unveiling of this statue completes the final important piece of the star-studded Lakers' home arena plaza. Significantly, the unveiling ceremony was deliberately scheduled to take place this Sunday before the Lakers' home game against the Boston Celtics.

The Lakers' battle with the Celtics during the rivalry between Riley and Arnold Auerbach represents one of the most classic periods in NBA history, and this timeline is undoubtedly the best tribute to that glorious era.

Image source: Internet/NBA official website