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Erik Spoelstra Sends Message After Missing Pat Riley’s Statue Ceremony

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Anamika Shrivastava | Last updated Feb 23, 2026 8:29 PM ET

Erik Spoelstra missed Pat Riley’s statue unveiling in Los Angeles on Sunday, but he made sure his voice was heard.

The Lakers commissioned a nearly eight-foot-tall, 510-pound bronze statue of Riley outside Crypto.com Arena. The statue captures him in his signature style, wearing a Giorgio Armani suit. The tribute cements Riley’s legacy with the franchise, where he built one of the strongest eras in NBA history.

Riley, now 80, addressed the crowd during the ceremony and delivered remarks that drew praise across the league.

“I don't know how I got here, but I got here, and now there's a statue out there,” Riley said. “And I'm so grateful. I really am. It's beyond gratitude. I'm so grateful to be honored and to be with those who are the giants that I jumped up on their shoulders, and they carried me. They did it. And here I am today.”

Angeles Lakers former coach Pat Riley poses at statue unveiling at the Crypto.com Arena. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Eric Spoelstra, who was with the Miami Heat preparing for their weekend games, watched the ceremony from afar. He later said that Riley’s speech at the unveiling might have been the best he had ever heard from him. That comment carried weight, considering Spoelstra has worked alongside Riley for many years.

Erik Spoelstra says Pat Riley’s statue speech might have been Riley’s best ever.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) February 23, 2026

Riley won six championships with the Lakers organization, four as head coach, one as an assistant coach and one as a player. His teams defined the Showtime era and helped shape the rivalry between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics.

After leaving Los Angeles, Riley coached for four years with the New York Knicks before building his legacy in Miami. Since joining the Heat in 1995, he has overseen three NBA championships and multiple finals appearances. He coached the Heat to its first title in 2006 before handing the reins to Spoelstra in 2008, remaining team president during their championship runs in 2012 and 2013.

Spoelstra has often credited Riley for setting the standard within the Heat organization. The discipline, culture and expectation of excellence all trace back to Riley’s leadership.

The statue in Los Angeles is another reminder of Riley’s impact on the game. For Riley, the moment was about gratitude and the people who supported him along the way. For Spoelstra and many others around the league, it was recognition long overdue for one of basketball’s most influential figures.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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