Pat Riley
Inducted:
2008

Stats
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Born
March 20, 1945
Rome, New York, U.S.
Position:
Shooting guard (as player)
Coach
College:
Kentucky (1964–1967)
Pat Riley, often called "The Godfather" of the NBA, is one of the most successful and charismatic figures in sports history. Over a career spanning six decades, Riley has reached the NBA Finals as a player, assistant coach, head coach, and executive. He first rose to coaching stardom as the architect of the "Showtime" Lakers in the 1980s, combining a fast-break offense with a Hollywood-style persona characterized by slicked-back hair and Armani suits.
Riley's genius lies in his adaptivity. After leaving the flashy Lakers, he transformed the New York Knicks into a gritty, defensive powerhouse in the 90s, before moving to the Miami Heat. In Miami, he built a "Heat Culture" based on extreme conditioning and loyalty. He is the first person in North American sports to win championships in four different roles and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Riley's Awards and Records
- First-team All-American (Kentucky, 1966)
- One of few to win titles with multiple franchises
- Successful NBA champion as player, coach, and executive
- Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award (2012)
NBA Records
- 9x NBA Champion (across four roles)
- 3x NBA Coach of the Year (with three different teams)
- NBA Executive of the Year (2011)
- Top 10 Coaches in NBA History
- Top 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History
- 9x NBA All-Star Game Head Coach
NBA Team
As PlayerSan Diego Rockets (1967–1970)
Los Angeles Lakers (1970–1975)
Phoenix Suns (1975–1976)
As Coach
Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1990)
New York Knicks (1991–1995)
Miami Heat (1995–2003,2005–2008)
NBA Draft
1967: 1st round, 7th overall pick
San Diego Rockets
Number Worn
42, 12
NBA Stats
Game Coached:
1,904
Coaching record:
1,210–694 (.636)
Total NBA Championships:
9
As Player:
1 (1972 Lakers)
As Assistant Coach:
1 (1980 Lakers)
As Head Coach:
5 (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006)
As Executive:
2 (2012, 2013)
NBA Coach of the Year:
3 (1990, 1993, 1997)
Executive of the Year:
1 (2011)
