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Pat Riley
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Patrick James Riley (born March 20, 1945) is an American professional basketball executive, former coach, and former player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has been the team president of the Miami Heat since 1995, and he also served as the team's head coach from 1995 to 2003 and again from 2005 to 2008.

Key Information

Often referred to as "the Godfather", Riley is regarded as one of the greatest NBA figures of all time both as a coach and executive. He has won five NBA championships as a head coach, four with the Los Angeles Lakers during their Showtime era in the 1980s and one with the Heat in 2006. Riley is a nine-time NBA champion across his tenures as a player (1972), assistant coach (1980), head coach (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006), and executive (2012, 2013). He is the first North American sports figure to win a championship as a player, as an assistant coach, as a head coach, and as an executive. Since the start of his NBA career through 2023, Riley has reached 19 NBA finals across six different decades,[1] making 25 percent of all NBA Finals as a player, coach, or executive.[2]

Riley was named NBA Coach of the Year three times (1989–90, 1992–93 and 1996–97, as head coach of the Lakers, New York Knicks and Heat, respectively). He was head coach of an NBA All-Star Game team nine times: eight times with the Western Conference team (1982, 1983, 1985–1990, all as head coach of the Lakers) and once with the Eastern team (1993, as head coach of the Knicks). In 1996, he was named one of the 10 Greatest Coaches in NBA history. In 2008, Riley was inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach.[3] He received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award from the NBA Coaches Association on June 20, 2012.

Early life

[edit]

Riley was born in Rome, New York and raised in Schenectady. He is the son of Mary Rosalia (Balloga)[4][5] and Leon Riley, who played 22 seasons of minor league baseball as an outfielder and first baseman, and appeared in four games for the 1944 Philadelphia Phillies.[6][7]

Riley played basketball for Linton High School in Schenectady under head coach Walt Przybylo and assistants Bill Rapavy and Ed Catino.[8] Linton High School's 74–68 victory over New York City's Power Memorial on December 29, 1961, is remembered mostly for its two stars: Power Memorial's Lew Alcindor (who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Riley, who would go on to coach Abdul-Jabbar with the Los Angeles Lakers.[9] In 1991, Riley called it "one of the greatest games in the history of Schenectady basketball."

College career

[edit]

Riley played college basketball for four seasons for the Kentucky Wildcats—one on the freshman team[10] and three on the varsity.[11] As a junior on the 1965–66 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, he was named First Team All-SEC, All-NCAA Tournament Team, NCAA Regional Player of the Year, SEC Player of the Year and AP Third Team All-American, leading the Wildcats to the 1966 NCAA title game. Coached by Adolph Rupp, UK lost to Texas Western (today's UTEP), a game that was reenacted in the movie Glory Road. In his senior year, Riley made First Team All-SEC, becoming one of the few players in Kentucky basketball history to be named First Team All-SEC twice.[12]

Professional career

[edit]

San Diego Rockets (1967–1970)

[edit]

Riley was selected by the San Diego Rockets as the seventh overall pick of the 1967 NBA draft.[13] Despite the fact that he had not played college football,[14] Riley was also drafted as a wide receiver by the Dallas Cowboys in the 11th round of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft.[15] After playing three seasons with the Rockets,[16] he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1970 NBA expansion draft.[17]

Los Angeles Lakers (1970–1975)

[edit]
Riley as a Laker in 1974

The Blazers traded Riley to the Los Angeles Lakers,[18] where he played for five seasons.[13] Riley played a significant role as a reserve on the Lakers' 1972 NBA Championship team.[19]

Phoenix Suns (1975–1976)

[edit]

During the 1975–76 NBA season, Riley was traded to the Phoenix Suns.[18] He retired in 1976,[20] having averaged 7.4 points per game over his nine seasons in the league.[18]

Coaching and executive career (1979–present)

[edit]

Los Angeles Lakers (1979–1990)

[edit]

Riley returned to the NBA in 1977 as a broadcaster for the Lakers. In November 1979, after the team's head coach, Jack McKinney, was injured in a near-fatal bicycle accident, assistant coach Paul Westhead took over the team's head coaching duties[21] and hired Riley as an assistant coach.[22] With rookie guard Magic Johnson and longtime star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the 1980 NBA Finals, giving Westhead and Riley championship rings in their first year coaching the team. However, the team lost in the playoffs the next year to the Moses Malone-led Houston Rockets.

Six games into the 1981–82 season, Magic Johnson said he wished to be traded because he was unhappy playing for Westhead. Shortly afterwards, Lakers' owner Jerry Buss fired Westhead. At an ensuing press conference, with Jerry West at his side, Buss named West head coach. West, however, balked, and Buss awkwardly tried to name West as "offensive captain" and then named West and Riley as co-coaches.[23] West made it clear during the press conference that he would only assist Riley, and that Riley was the head coach.[24] Thereafter, Riley was the interim head coach, until his status became permanent.

Riley ushered in the Lakers' "Showtime" era, along with superstar players Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar with their running game. Riley became a celebrity in his own right, a fashion icon for his Armani suits and slicked-back hair which complemented the team's Hollywood image.[25]

Besides using Lakers' up-tempo style established by McKinney and Westhead, Riley was also innovative on defense; he was one of the first coaches to employ a 1-3-1 half-court trap to pick up the pace of the game.[26] Though the Showtime Lakers were known for their offense, they won championships with their defense.[27] In Michael Cooper, they had one of the top defensive guards in the game.[28] The league-wide perception was that the Lakers played with finesse and were not physical enough to win in the playoffs. Riley's mantra was "no rebounds, no rings", reinforcing the need to fight for rebounds in order to win championships.[29]

Riley led the Lakers to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances. His first title came in his first season, against the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams returned to the Finals the next year, and this time Riley's Lakers, hobbled by injuries to Norm Nixon, Bob McAdoo and rookie James Worthy, were swept by the 76ers. The Lakers lost in the Finals again in 1984, to the Boston Celtics in seven games.[30] The Lakers earned Riley his second NBA title in 1985 in a rematch of the previous year, as the Lakers beat the Celtics in six games. The Lakers' four-year Western Conference streak was broken the following year by the Houston Rockets.

In 1987, Riley coached a Lakers team that is considered one of the best teams of all time. With future Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, plus Byron Scott, A.C. Green, Mychal Thompson, Kurt Rambis, and Cooper, the Lakers finished 65–17 in the regular season, third-best in team history. They met with similar success in the playoffs, dispatching the Celtics in six games to win Riley his third NBA title.

One of Riley's most famous moments came when he guaranteed the crowd a repeat championship during the Lakers' championship parade in downtown Los Angeles (he first made the guarantee during the post-victory locker room celebration).[31] While the 1988 Lakers did not produce as many wins in the regular season as the 1987 Lakers, they still won the NBA title, becoming the first team in 19 years to repeat as champions. The Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons in seven games in the 1988 NBA Finals, making good on Riley's promise. Riley's titles with the Lakers make him one of six men to play for an NBA Championship team and later coach the same NBA team to a championship; the others are George Senesky, Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn, K. C. Jones and Billy Cunningham.

Riley (left) and Magic Johnson in 1989

Although Riley would offer no further guarantees, his Lakers embarked upon a quest to obtain a third consecutive championship in 1989. Having successfully claimed a repeat championship the year before, the term used for this new goal was a three-peat championship, and Riley, through his corporate entity, Riles & Co., trademarked the phrase three-peat. The Lakers won 57 games to lead the Western Conference, and swept the Western Conference bracket of the 1989 NBA playoffs (11–0).

In the days leading up to the 1989 NBA Finals, Riley took his team to a mini-training camp in Santa Barbara, California in hopes of keeping his players in peak physical form. However, his demanding, intense approach to practice took its toll on his players, and in one of the practices leading up to Game 1, Byron Scott injured his hamstring that kept him out for the series. Then during Game 2, Magic Johnson also pulled his hamstring, and though he tried to play in Game 3, the injury proved too severe for him to continue. Without Scott and later Johnson, the Lakers were swept by the Pistons in a Finals rematch.[32]

Riley was named NBA Coach of the Year for the first time in 1989–90, but stepped down as Lakers head coach after they lost to the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs. At the time of his departure, Riley was the foremost coach in the NBA with a level of fame not seen since Red Auerbach.[33]

New York Knicks (1991–1995)

[edit]

After stepping down, Riley accepted a job as a television commentator for NBC for one year before being named head coach of the New York Knicks, starting with the 1991–92 season.

Commentators admired Riley's ability to work with the physical, deliberate Knicks, adapting his "Showtime" style with the fast-paced Laker teams in the 1980s. The Chicago Bulls had easily swept the Knicks in 1991 en route to their first championship. However, in 1992, with Riley, the Knicks pushed the defending champion Bulls to seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The physical defense of the Knicks against the Chicago Bulls' superstars Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during the 1992 playoffs led to a feud between Riley and Bulls head coach Phil Jackson regarding the officiating and the Knicks' rough style of play. In 1993, Riley led the Knicks to their best regular season record in team history (tied with the 1969–1970 team) and received his second Coach of the Year award. The Knicks again met the Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals but lost in six games after winning the first two games at home. Jackson's Bulls that season went on to win the finals and accomplish a "three-peat," despite Riley's trademark in 1989.[34]

Riley returned to the NBA Finals, in 1994, en route to defeating the three-time defending champion Bulls (without Michael Jordan) in seven games during the Eastern Conference semifinals. However, New York lost in seven games to the Houston Rockets after being up 3–2 in the series. During the 1994 Finals, Riley became the first coach to participate in an NBA Finals Game 7 with two teams, having been with the Lakers in 1984 and 1988. However, he had the unfortunate distinction of becoming the first (and to date, only) coach to lose an NBA Finals Game 7 with two teams, having lost to the Celtics, in 1984. It also denied him the distinction of becoming the first coach to win a Game 7 in the Finals with two teams, having defeated the Pistons in seven games, in 1988.

Miami Heat

[edit]

Head coach and president (1995–2008)

[edit]

On June 15, 1995, Riley resigned from the Knicks via fax[35] to become president and head coach of the Miami Heat, with complete control over basketball operations. The move caused some controversy, as the Heat were accused by the Knicks of tampering by pursuing Riley while he still had a year remaining on his contract with the Knicks.[36] The matter was settled after the Heat sent their 1996 first-round pick (which the Knicks used to draft Walter McCarty) and $1 million in cash to the Knicks on September 1, 1995.[37]

In the 1995–96 NBA season, Riley led the Heat to a 42–40 record, which was a 10-game improvement over the team's previous season. Miami was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Phil Jackson-coached Chicago Bulls, who went on to win the NBA championship. This Heat season was notable for personnel changes, as the team welcomed franchise building blocks Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. Following the season, the Heat also obtained Nets forward P.J. Brown and Suns swingman Dan Majerle.[38][39]

In 1997, Riley's Heat defeated his old team, the Knicks, in a physical seven-game series. Advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in franchise history, the Heat were again defeated by the eventual champion Bulls. Riley was selected as Coach of the Year for the third time after leading Miami to a 61–21 regular season record and first place in the Atlantic Division.[40]

The Heat lost to the archrival Knicks in 1998, 1999, and 2000 in the playoffs. Riley then traded Brown and Jamal Mashburn in exchange for Eddie Jones in one trade and acquired Brian Grant in another, although the team suffered a major setback after Alonzo Mourning was lost for the season due to a kidney ailment. After finishing 50–32 in the 2000–01 season, the Heat were swept by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Heat then lost two of their best players when guard Tim Hardaway was traded to the Dallas Mavericks and Anthony Mason signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. In part because of these departures, the Heat crumbled to a 36–46 in 2002–the first time that a Riley-coached team had not had a winning season or made the playoffs.

After the Heat finished the 2002–03 season 25–57, Riley stepped down as head coach and was succeeded by longtime assistant Stan Van Gundy. In the 2003 NBA draft, the Heat held the fifth overall pick, which they used to select Dwyane Wade. In July 2004, Riley traded Caron Butler, Brian Grant, Lamar Odom, and a first-round draft pick to the Lakers for star center Shaquille O'Neal. Wade and O'Neal led the Heat to the Eastern Conference finals during the 2005 playoffs, where they lost to the defending champions Detroit Pistons after leading the series 3–2.[41]

Riley in 2007 during his second stint as the Heat's coach

During the 2005 off-season, it was widely speculated that Riley was attempting to push Van Gundy out and make himself head coach once again now that the team was a championship contender.[42] Van Gundy resigned from his position just 21 games into the 2005–06 season, citing a need to spend more time with his family, and Riley named himself as Van Gundy's successor.[43] Riley's Heat team defeated the Detroit Pistons in the 2006 Eastern Conference finals on June 2, 2006, the first time Miami reached the finals. Riley's Heat squared off against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006 NBA Finals. Despite losing the first two games, the Heat rallied to win the next four and their first NBA championship. After Game 6, Riley commented that he had packed one suit, one shirt, and one tie for the trip to Dallas. It was Riley's fifth championship as a head coach and his first with a team other than the Lakers.[44]

Citing hip and knee problems, Riley took a leave of absence from coaching from January 3, 2007, through February 19, 2007. Assistant coach Ron Rothstein assumed interim duties. The Heat finished the season 44–38 and were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Chicago Bulls, the first defending champions swept in the first round since the Philadelphia Warriors in 1957.[45] The following season, the Heat finished 15–67. The team had lost several of its players to extended injuries, and a disgruntled Shaquille O'Neal was traded mid-season. Two years after winning the championship, they finished with one of the worst seasons in NBA history.[46] It also tied the Heat's inaugural season of 1988–89 as the worst in franchise history, and was easily the worst full-season record compiled by a Riley-coached team.

Riley at the Miami Heat Family Festival in March 2023

Full-time team president (2008–present)

[edit]

On April 28, 2008, Riley announced that he would step down as head coach while remaining team president. He named assistant Erik Spoelstra as head coach.[47] Although the Heat have nominally had a general manager for most of Riley's tenure as team president (Randy Pfund until 2008, and Andy Elisburg since 2013), Riley has had the final say in basketball matters since his arrival in Miami.[48][49]

In 2010, Riley acquired LeBron James and Chris Bosh to form the Heat's "Big Three" with Dwyane Wade. Riley was named NBA Executive of the Year for the 2010–11 season. The Heat reached the NBA Finals each of the next four seasons (2011 through 2014). Although the Heat lost in 2011 to the Dallas Mavericks, the Heat would beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2012 Finals to give Riley his first championship purely as an executive. The Heat repeated as champions in 2013, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in seven games.[50][51] They would go on to lose in 2014 to the Spurs in five games.

In the 2019–20 season, the Heat became the fourth team in NBA history to finish lower than fourth place in their conference in the regular season and make it to the NBA Finals. The 2019–20 Heat team has been considered by some to be Riley's "magnum opus", since the team's Finals run was not preceded by a dramatic rebuild or by the selection of a high draft pick. Before the season, Riley traded for Jimmy Butler, drafted Tyler Herro, and signed the undrafted Kendrick Nunn. Before the 2019–20 trade deadline, the Heat obtained Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder.[1] Facing Riley's former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by former Heat superstar LeBron James, the Heat were defeated in six games.[52] In 2023, the Heat had a similarly unprecedented run to the finals as an 8th-seeded team, becoming the second 8th seed to reach the finals. Ironically, the first were the Knicks, who defeated Riley's 1st-seeded Heat in the 1999 playoffs. However, the Heat lost to the Denver Nuggets in five games in the Finals.[53][54]

Prior to the 2024–25 season, the Heat honored Riley by dedicating the Kaseya Center floor as the "Pat Riley Court at Kaseya Center".[55] On February 5, 2025, Riley traded Butler to the Golden State Warriors in a five-team deal that gave the Heat Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, and a 2025 protected first-round pick from the Warriors.[56][57][58][59]

Outside basketball

[edit]
Riley and the Miami Heat with President George W. Bush, February 2007

Outside basketball, Riley has developed into a pop culture figure, born out of Riley's signature look; a slicked-back hairstyle, often described as gangster or mafioso-like, and his immaculate tan. Riley's nickname is "The Godfather" due to his similar appearance to Vito Corleone, a character in the 1972 film The Godfather.[60]

In 1988, Riley published a book entitled Showtime: Inside the Lakers' Breakthrough Season, a New York Times best-seller which recapped the Lakers' successful run to the 1987 NBA Championship. One of the phrases Riley coined in the book was the "Disease of More", stating that "success is often the first step toward disaster" and that defending champions often fail the following season because every player who returns wants more playing time, more shots per game, and more money. The phrase stemmed from the Lakers' disappointing 1980–81 campaign coming off a championship the previous season.[61]

In 1993, while coaching the New York Knicks, Riley published a second New York Times bestseller entitled The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players. Aimed at business leadership as well as basketball enthusiasts, it distilled a lesson in teamwork and leadership from each of Riley's seasons as a coach to that date. Byron Laursen co-authored both of Riley's books.[62]

Riley is known for his friendship with Giorgio Armani, preferring to wear Armani suits during basketball games and modeling once at an Armani show.[63]

Riley has been married to the former Christine Rodstrom since June 26, 1970. In 1985, the Rileys adopted a son, James Patrick.[64] In 1989, they adopted a daughter, Elisabeth.[65] Riley is a practicing Roman Catholic.[66]

On February 27, 2007, the Miami Heat were honored for their 2005–06 NBA Championship at the White House. During the ceremony, Riley presented George W. Bush with a jersey before announcing, "I voted for the man. If you don't vote, you don't count." After the ceremony, Riley was questioned by reporters about the political nature of his comments. He responded by saying, "I'm pro-American, pro-democracy, I'm pro-government. I follow my boss. He's my boss."[67]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship

NBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
NBA regular season statistics[68]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1967–68 San Diego 80 — 15.8 .379 — .634 2.2 1.7 — — 7.9
1968–69 San Diego 56 — 18.3 .406 — .672 2.0 2.4 — — 8.8
1969–70 San Diego 36 — 13.2 .417 — .727 1.6 2.4 — — 5.3
1970–71 L.A. Lakers 54 — 9.4 .413 — .644 1.0 1.3 — — 4.9
1971–72† L.A. Lakers 67 — 13.8 .447 — .743 1.9 1.1 — — 6.7
1972–73 L.A. Lakers 55 — 14.6 .428 — .793 1.2 1.5 — — 7.3
1973–74 L.A. Lakers 72 — 18.9 .430 — .764 1.8 2.1 .8 .0 9.5
1974–75 L.A. Lakers 46 — 22.1 .419 — .742 1.8 2.6 .8 .1 11.0
1975–76 L.A. Lakers 2 — 11.5 .385 — .333 1.5 .0 .5 .5 5.5
1975–76 Phoenix 60 — 13.2 .389 — .730 .8 1.0 .4 .1 4.6
Career 528 — 15.5 .414 — .705 1.6 1.7 .6 .1 7.4

Playoffs

[edit]
NBA playoffs statistics[68]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1969 San Diego 5 — 15.2 .432 — .833 2.2 .4 — — 7.4
1971 L.A. Lakers 7 — 19.3 .420 — .727 2.1 2.0 — — 9.4
1972† L.A. Lakers 15 — 16.3 .333 — .750 1.9 .9 — — 5.2
1973 L.A. Lakers 7 — 7.6 .333 — — .7 1.0 — — 2.6
1974 L.A. Lakers 5 — 21.2 .360 — .750 1.2 2.0 .8 .0 7.8
1976 Phoenix 5 — 5.4 .400 — 1.000 .0 1.0 .0 .0 2.6
Career 44 — 14.6 .374 — .763 1.5 1.2 .4 .0 5.7

College

[edit]
College statistics[69]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1964–65 Kentucky 25 — 33.0 .432 — .618 8.5 1.1 — — 15.0
1965–66 Kentucky 29 — 37.2 .516 — .699 8.9 2.2 — — 22.0
1966–67 Kentucky 26 — 36.7 .442 — .782 7.7 2.6 — — 17.4
Career 80 — 35.7 .469 — .714 8.4 2.0 — — 18.3

Head coaching record

[edit]
Legend
Regular season G Games coached W Games won L Games lost W–L % Win–loss %
Playoffs PG Playoff games PW Playoff wins PL Playoff losses PW–L % Playoff win–loss %
Coaching statistics[70]
Team Year G W L W–L% Finish PG PW PL PW–L% Result
L.A. Lakers 1981–82 71 50 21 .704 1st in Pacific 14 12 2 .857 Won NBA Championship
L.A. Lakers 1982–83 82 58 24 .707 1st in Pacific 15 8 7 .533 Lost in NBA Finals
L.A. Lakers 1983–84 82 54 28 .659 1st in Pacific 21 14 7 .667 Lost in NBA Finals
L.A. Lakers 1984–85 82 62 20 .756 1st in Pacific 19 15 4 .789 Won NBA Championship
L.A. Lakers 1985–86 82 62 20 .756 1st in Pacific 14 8 6 .571 Lost in Conference finals
L.A. Lakers 1986–87 82 65 17 .793 1st in Pacific 18 15 3 .833 Won NBA Championship
L.A. Lakers 1987–88 82 62 20 .756 1st in Pacific 25 15 9 .625 Won NBA Championship
L.A. Lakers 1988–89 82 57 25 .695 1st in Pacific 15 11 4 .733 Lost in NBA Finals
L.A. Lakers 1989–90 82 63 19 .768 1st in Pacific 9 4 5 .444 Lost in Conference semifinals
New York 1991–92 82 51 31 .622 1st in Atlantic 12 6 6 .500 Lost in Conference semifinals
New York 1992–93 82 60 22 .732 1st in Atlantic 15 9 6 .600 Lost in Conference finals
New York 1993–94 82 57 25 .695 1st in Atlantic 25 14 11 .560 Lost in NBA Finals
New York 1994–95 82 55 27 .671 2nd in Atlantic 11 6 5 .545 Lost in Conference semifinals
Miami 1995–96 82 42 40 .512 3rd in Atlantic 3 0 3 .000 Lost in First round
Miami 1996–97 82 61 21 .744 1st in Atlantic 17 8 9 .471 Lost in Conference finals
Miami 1997–98 82 55 27 .671 1st in Atlantic 5 2 3 .400 Lost in First round
Miami 1998–99 50 33 17 .660 1st in Atlantic 5 2 3 .400 Lost in First round
Miami 1999–00 82 52 30 .634 1st in Atlantic 10 6 4 .600 Lost in Conference semifinals
Miami 2000–01 82 50 32 .610 2nd in Atlantic 3 0 3 .000 Lost in First round
Miami 2001–02 82 36 46 .439 6th in Atlantic — — — — Missed playoffs
Miami 2002–03 82 25 57 .305 7th in Atlantic — — — — Missed playoffs
Miami 2005–06 61 41 20 .672 1st in Southeast 23 16 7 .696 Won NBA Championship
Miami 2006–07 82 44 38 .537 1st in Southeast 4 0 4 .000 Lost in First round
Miami 2007–08 82 15 67 .183 5th in Southeast — — — — Missed playoffs
Career 1,904 1,210 694 .636   282 171 111 .606  

Awards and honors

[edit]

NBA

  • Nine-time NBA Champion (one as a player, one as an assistant coach, five as a head coach, and two as an executive)
  • Three-time NBA Coach of the Year
  • Nine-time NBA All-Star Game head coach
  • 2011 NBA Executive of the Year
  • 2012 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award

NCAA

  • 1966 First Team All-American
  • Number 42 retired by the Kentucky Wildcats

Halls of Fame

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pat Riley

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Pat Riley (born March 20, 1945) is an American basketball executive, coach, and former player, widely regarded as one of the most successful figures in (NBA) history, having won nine championships in various roles. Born in , and raised in Schenectady, Riley excelled in basketball and football at Linton High School before starring at the , where he was an All-American guard and helped lead the Wildcats to the 1966 NCAA Final Four. Drafted seventh overall in 1967 by the San Diego Rockets, he played nine NBA seasons as a 6-foot-4 guard-forward for the Rockets, , and , averaging 7.4 points per game and contributing as a key reserve on the 1972 Lakers championship team that ended a drought with a 4-1 Finals win over the . Transitioning to coaching, Riley served as an assistant with the Lakers, including winning a championship in 1980 under Paul Westhead and Jack McKinney, before becoming head coach in 1981, leading the team to four NBA titles during the "Showtime" era (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) featuring Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with a regular-season record of 1,210-694 (.636 winning percentage) across stints with the Lakers (1981-1990), New York Knicks (1991-1995), and Miami Heat (1995-2003, 2005-2008). He guided the Knicks to the 1994 NBA Finals, earned three Coach of the Year awards (1990, 1993, 1997)—the only coach to win with three different teams—and was named one of the NBA's 10 greatest coaches in 1996. As Heat head coach, he won his fifth title in 2006 with Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal. Since 1995, Riley has served as president of the , overseeing two additional championships in 2012 and 2013 by assembling the "Big Three" of , , and , and earning NBA Executive of the Year honors in 2011. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 as a contributor, Riley's career also includes 171 playoff wins (second all-time) and pioneering the "Pat Riley look" of slicked-back hair and tailored suits, influencing NBA coaching style.

Early life and education

Early life

Patrick James Riley was born on March 20, 1945, in , to Leon Francis Riley and Mary Rosalia Balloga Riley. His father, a player who appeared in four games for the Phillies in 1944 and spent 22 seasons in the as an and later a manager, provided a strong athletic foundation for the family. His mother, whom Leon met while she worked as a waitress in , married him in 1931, and together they raised six children amid frequent relocations tied to Leon's baseball career. As the youngest of the six siblings—preceded by brothers Leon Jr., Leonard, James, and , and sister Mary Ann—Riley grew up in a competitive household where sports were central to family life. The family eventually settled in , Leon's adopted hometown, where he managed the local Blue Jays to a league title in 1947 and later owned a sporting goods store and cafeteria. There, Riley gained early exposure to and , often playing against older siblings and neighborhood kids under his father's guidance, who emphasized toughness by pitting him against more physically mature opponents to build resilience. The Riley family's modest circumstances, marked by financial strains from Leon's inconsistent success and the demands of supporting a large , instilled a rigorous in young Pat. From age six, he helped with early-morning chores at his father's businesses, wearing hand-me-down clothes and learning the value of perseverance amid these challenges, lessons that his parents reinforced with the "live to work, work to live." Leon's own setbacks, including a brief major league stint overshadowed by a long career, further shaped Riley's drive, as his father coached him in and stressed relentless preparation over innate talent.

High school career

Pat Riley attended Linton High School in , from 1960 to 1963, where he emerged as a standout guard known for his scoring prowess and leadership. Under head coach Walt Przybylo, Riley helped guide the Blue Devils to league championships in both 1961 and 1963, earning recognition as a high school All-American in his senior year. He was the first player in history to win the Union Star's County Player of the Year award as both a junior and a senior, highlighting his dominance in the local scene. One of Riley's most memorable high school performances came during the 1961 Christmas Holiday Tournament, where Linton defeated and its freshman star Lew Alcindor (later ) by a score of 74-68; Riley contributed 19 points in the victory, demonstrating his competitive edge against top national talent. Beyond , Riley showcased his athletic versatility as a two-sport star, excelling in football alongside his hoops achievements. His drive was influenced by his father, Leon "Lee" Riley, a former player and local athletic figure. Riley graduated from Linton High School in 1963 and was recruited to play at the , marking the transition from his prep career to the next level.

College career

Pat Riley enrolled at the in 1963 and joined the basketball program under head coach , a Hall of Famer known for leading the Wildcats to multiple national titles. As a 6-foot-4 athlete, Riley primarily played as a guard and forward, contributing to a fast-paced offense that emphasized his scoring and rebounding abilities during an era when freshmen were ineligible for varsity play. Over his three varsity seasons from 1964-65 to 1966-67, Riley established himself as a key contributor, averaging 18.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game across 80 appearances while shooting 46.9% from the field overall. His junior year in 1965-66 stood out as his most productive, when he led the in scoring with 22.0 points per game and earned SEC Player of the Year honors, helping propel the team—nicknamed "Rupp's Runts" for their smaller stature—to a 24-1 regular-season record and 27-2 overall. That season culminated in a appearance at the 1966 NCAA Tournament, where advanced to the championship game but fell 72-65 to Texas Western (now UTEP) in a historic matchup; Riley scored 19 points in the final, earning All-Region Most Outstanding Player and All- Team recognition for his efforts throughout the tournament. Riley's senior season in 1966-67 saw the Wildcats finish 13-13, with him serving as team captain and averaging 17.4 , though injuries limited the team's postseason potential. Academically, he pursued studies while balancing his athletic commitments and graduated from the in 1967 with a .
SeasonSchoolConfGMPFGFGAFG%FTFTAFT%ORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKTOVPFPTSPTS/G
1964-65KentuckySEC25150347.43275121.62021237515.0
1965-66KentuckySEC29254493.515129185.69825963722.0
1966-67KentuckySEC2636.7164371.442124159.7802012.63.545217.4
Career805681211.469328465.705672146418.3
Note: Rebound and assist stats are incomplete for earlier seasons due to limited historical tracking; totals derived from available per-game averages.

Playing career

San Diego Rockets

Pat Riley was selected seventh overall in the first round of the 1967 NBA Draft by the San Diego Rockets, an expansion franchise entering the league that year. Playing primarily as a shooting guard and small forward, Riley debuted in the Rockets' inaugural 1967-68 season, appearing in 80 games and averaging 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. The team endured significant challenges as newcomers, posting a league-worst 15-67 record under coach Jack McMahon, which highlighted the difficulties of building a competitive roster from scratch. In his first game on October 13, 1967, Riley contributed 10 points in a 99-98 loss to the St. Louis Hawks, marking the beginning of his adjustment to professional basketball's physical demands and pace. The 1968-69 season brought modest improvement for the Rockets, who finished 37-45 and qualified for the for the first time, largely driven by rookie ' dominant performance. Riley solidified his role as a youthful reserve, playing in 56 games and increasing his scoring to 8.8 alongside 2.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists, though the team's overall inconsistency persisted. This period represented Riley's continued adaptation to the NBA, where he focused on defensive contributions and perimeter shooting within a rebuilding lineup. By the 1969-70 season, the Rockets regressed to a 27-55 record, again missing the despite Hayes' caliber play. Riley's participation declined to 36 games, during which he averaged 5.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, reflecting the challenges of maintaining consistency amid the franchise's ongoing struggles. Over his three seasons in , Riley averaged 7.6 points per game as a versatile role player, gaining valuable experience in a developing expansion environment before the team's relocation to .

Los Angeles Lakers

On December 23, 1970, midway through the , Pat Riley was traded from the Rockets to the in exchange for guard Flynn Robinson. Joining a Lakers team featuring , , and , Riley served as a reserve guard-forward, appearing in 54 games during the 1970–71 season and averaging 4.9 points, 1.0 rebound, and 1.3 assists in 9.4 minutes per game. In the 1971–72 season, Riley became a key reserve on the Lakers' historic championship team, which set an NBA record with 33 consecutive regular-season wins en route to a 69–13 record. He played in 67 games, averaging 6.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 13.8 minutes per game, contributing energy off the bench during the team's dominant run. The Lakers defeated the 4–1 in the , securing Riley's first and only championship as a player. Riley's role expanded over the next seasons. In 1972–73, he appeared in 55 games for the 60–22 Lakers, averaging 7.3 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 14.6 minutes. The 1973–74 season saw him in 72 games, boosting his scoring to 9.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 18.9 minutes, though the Lakers lost in the Western Conference Finals. His production peaked in 1974–75 with 46 games played, averaging 11.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 22.1 minutes amid the team's 30–52 struggles. Early in the 1975–76 season, after just two games with the Lakers (averaging 2.5 points), Riley was traded to the on November 3, 1975. Over his Lakers tenure from 1970 to 1975, he established himself as a reliable , particularly during the championship era.

Phoenix Suns

In November 1975, early in the 1975–76 NBA season, Pat Riley was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the in exchange for guard John Roche and a second-round draft pick in the . Joining a Suns team led by players like and , Riley served primarily as a reserve guard-forward, appearing in 60 games and averaging 4.6 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game while playing 13.2 minutes off the bench. The Suns finished the regular season with a 42–40 record, securing third place in the Pacific Division and qualifying for the playoffs. Phoenix advanced through the Western Conference semifinals by defeating the Seattle SuperSonics 4–2, then overcame the defending champion Golden State Warriors in a dramatic seven-game Western Conference Finals series, winning 4–3 to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. However, the Suns fell to the Boston Celtics 4–2 in the Finals. Riley's playoff role was limited by injuries, as he appeared in only five games across the postseason, averaging 2.6 points and 1.0 assist in 5.4 minutes per game, and did not play in the Finals series. Plagued by recurring injuries that diminished his effectiveness, Riley announced his retirement from playing at age 30 following , concluding a nine-year NBA career. Over his Suns tenure, he scored 278 points in 65 total appearances ( and playoffs), contributing to his career totals of 3,906 points, 855 rebounds, and 913 assists across 528 games, for averages of 7.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He transitioned immediately to , joining the Lakers' radio team in 1977.

Coaching career

Los Angeles Lakers

Pat Riley joined the as an assistant coach in 1979 under head coach Jack McKinney, later serving under after McKinney's accident, before being promoted to on November 19, 1981, following Westhead's dismissal amid tensions with star player . In his debut season, Riley led the Lakers to a 57-25 regular-season record and their first NBA championship since 1972, defeating the 4-2 in the Finals, with Johnson earning Finals MVP honors for his iconic performance in Game 6. Over his nine-year tenure from 1981 to 1990, Riley compiled a remarkable 533-194 regular-season record (.733 winning percentage) and guided the team to four NBA championships in 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988, establishing the Lakers as a dominant force in the league. Riley's coaching philosophy emphasized a high-octane, fast-break offense known as "Showtime," which revolutionized the team's style and captivated fans with its flair and speed, leveraging the talents of , , and forward as key components. Johnson's unparalleled passing and court vision initiated rapid transitions, while Abdul-Jabbar provided scoring in the post and Worthy excelled in open-court finishes, contributing to the Lakers' league-leading pace and scoring averages that often exceeded 110 points per game during peak seasons. This up-tempo approach not only maximized the roster's athleticism but also led to multiple 60-win seasons, including a franchise-record 65 victories in 1987-88, underscoring Riley's innovative emphasis on transition play over traditional half-court sets. Among Riley's signature playoff achievements was the , where the Lakers overcame their rivals, the , in six games to claim the title, avenging a heartbreaking loss from 1984 and marking the first championship victory for against in the series. Johnson again shone as Finals MVP, averaging 26.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 13.0 assists, while the team's depth and Riley's strategic adjustments neutralized 's physical frontcourt led by . The 1988 championship followed a grueling seven-game series against the , completing a back-to-back title run and solidifying the era's legacy. Riley resigned as on June 11, 1990, after the 1989-90 season in which the Lakers finished with a league-best 63-19 record but fell in the Western Conference semifinals to the . His departure stemmed from mounting player fatigue due to his intense practices and motivational style, as well as reported tensions with general manager over roster and strategic decisions, despite Riley earning NBA Coach of the Year honors that season.

New York Knicks

Pat Riley was hired as of the on May 31, 1991, following a year off after his successful tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers. Upon arrival, he immediately implemented his rigorous conditioning program, known as "Camp Riley," which featured grueling two-a-day workouts, nonstop running, and taxing drills designed to build endurance and discipline. This approach transformed the team's preparation, emphasizing physical toughness from the outset of . Riley centered his strategy around star center , fostering a gritty, physical playing style that prioritized elite defense and relentless effort. The Knicks led the NBA in defensive rating during the 1992–93 season, finishing with a franchise-record-tying 60 wins and earning the top seed in the Eastern Conference. That year, they advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, pushing the to six games in a hard-fought series marked by intense physicality, before falling 4-2. For his efforts, Riley was named the NBA Coach of the Year in 1993. In the 1993–94 season, the Knicks continued their defensive dominance, securing the Atlantic Division title and reaching the NBA Finals for the franchise's first appearance since 1973. They defeated the Houston Rockets in the first two games but ultimately lost the series in seven games, with Ewing delivering 24.0 points and 12.4 rebounds per game as the team's anchor. Over four seasons, Riley compiled a 223–105 regular-season record (.680 winning percentage), leading the Knicks to four consecutive playoff appearances. Riley resigned from the Knicks on June 15, 1995, citing burnout and frustrations with management over personnel control, despite being offered a lucrative three-year extension worth $3 million annually. His abrupt departure via fax marked the end of a tenure that revitalized the franchise but fell short of a .

Miami Heat

Pat Riley joined the Miami Heat on September 2, 1995, as team president and head coach, bringing his championship pedigree from the Los Angeles Lakers to a franchise in its eighth NBA season. In this dual role, Riley implemented a disciplined, defense-oriented system reminiscent of his New York Knicks tenure, emphasizing physicality and team accountability to transform the Heat into a competitive force in the Eastern Conference. Over his first eight seasons, he led Miami to six playoff appearances, including Eastern Conference Finals trips in 1997 and 2006, though the team fell short against dominant opponents like the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons. Riley's strategic vision shone through in key personnel moves that laid the foundation for sustained success. In the , he selected guard fifth overall, a decision that initially met internal hesitation but proved pivotal as Wade emerged as a franchise cornerstone with explosive scoring and leadership. The following summer, on July 14, 2004, Riley orchestrated a blockbuster trade acquiring center from the in exchange for , , , and a future first-round pick, forging a dynamic partnership between O'Neal's interior dominance and Wade's perimeter prowess. This duo propelled the Heat to new heights, culminating in the 2005-06 season when Miami staged a historic comeback from an 0-2 deficit to defeat the in the , securing the franchise's first championship on June 20, 2006, with Wade earning Finals MVP honors after averaging 34.7 points per game. Across 11 seasons as (1995-2003 and 2005-2008), Riley compiled a regular-season record of 454 wins and 395 losses, guiding the Heat to six division titles and two Eastern Conference Finals appearances. His tenure elevated Miami from a perennial also-ran to a model of consistency, though later years were marred by injuries and roster turnover. On April 28, 2008, amid ongoing concerns including hip and issues that had previously required , Riley stepped down as coach to concentrate on his presidential duties, handing the reins to assistant .

Executive career

Miami Heat presidency

In 2008, Pat Riley transitioned from his role as to focus exclusively on his position as team president for the , a move that allowed him to oversee the organization's long-term strategy. On April 28 of that year, he stepped down as coach after leading the team to a 15-67 record in the 2007-08 season and appointed assistant as his successor, promoting internal development to maintain continuity. This shift marked the beginning of Riley's emphasis on restructuring the Heat's and operations, fostering a culture of discipline and competitiveness that would define the franchise's resurgence. Under Riley's presidency, the Heat executed pivotal personnel moves that transformed the team into a dynasty. In the 2010 offseason, Riley was instrumental in recruiting LeBron James as a free agent to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, forming a star trio that propelled Miami to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2011 to 2014. This strategic signing, combined with key draft selections like Norris Cole in 2011, culminated in back-to-back NBA championships in 2012 and 2013, establishing Riley's vision of roster building around elite talent and defensive versatility. The success highlighted his ability to integrate high-profile acquisitions with complementary role players, solidifying the Heat's identity as a contending powerhouse. Riley's leadership extended into the 2020s, demonstrating the enduring impact of his organizational framework through unexpected playoff runs. In 2020, the fifth-seeded advanced to the in the Orlando bubble, showcasing Riley's emphasis on depth and adaptability amid roster turnover. Similarly, in 2023, became the first eighth-seeded team via the play-in tournament to reach the Finals, underscoring the sustained competitiveness Riley instilled through player development and strategic flexibility. In 2025, the finished the regular season 37-45 as the 10th seed and became the first team from that position to qualify for the via the play-in tournament, defeating the and before losing 0-4 to the in the first round. These achievements, without the benefit of top seeding, affirmed the 's culture of resilience under his oversight. In recognition of his 30 years with the franchise and transformative presidency, the dedicated their home court at as "Pat Riley Court" on October 23, 2024, during the season opener. The honor, announced by managing general partner , celebrated Riley's role in securing six NBA championships and elevating the organization's global stature. This milestone reflected the lasting legacy of his executive tenure, marked by innovation in team management and consistent excellence.

Key personnel decisions

As president of the Miami Heat, Pat Riley orchestrated the landmark 2010 free agency signings of and , pairing them with incumbent star to form the iconic "Big Three." This strategic maneuver involved James signing a six-year, $110 million contract and Bosh agreeing to a six-year, $110 million deal, both executed as sign-and-trades that cleared space while acquiring future draft assets from the and , respectively. The acquisitions, announced in a highly publicized special titled "The Decision," propelled the Heat to NBA championships in 2012 and 2013, establishing a dynasty built on elite talent concentration. In the , Riley selected center with the 14th overall pick, a move that anchored the Heat's shift toward developing a versatile young core amid a post-Big Three rebuild. Adebayo, signed to a four-year contract shortly thereafter, quickly emerged as a two-way force, earning All-Defensive honors by his third season and becoming the franchise's cornerstone through consistent growth under Riley's oversight, including extensions that secured him long-term. This draft choice exemplified Riley's targeted approach to roster construction, blending defensive prowess with playmaking to complement emerging talents like and . Riley aggressively pursued in the 2023 offseason, offering a package centered on and multiple first-round picks (2028 and 2030) in a bid to acquire the All-Star guard from the , though the deal ultimately fell through when secured Lillard in a three-team trade. The short-lived pursuit highlighted Riley's willingness to reshape the roster around high-impact veterans but preserved Miami's assets for future flexibility, as the retained picks and Herro contributed to subsequent playoff runs before further adjustments. On February 5, 2025, Riley executed a blockbuster five-team trade that sent to the , acquiring in return , Kyle Anderson, , and a top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick from Golden State, along with additional salary fillers like rerouted to . This deal, which also involved the and , marked the end of Butler's contentious tenure in and injected defensive versatility and shooting into the Heat's lineup, positioning them for a retool around Adebayo amid cap constraints. The move drew praise for its asset efficiency, as Wiggins and Anderson provided immediate rotation depth while the pick offered upside. In the 2025 , Riley selected Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakucionis with the 20th overall pick, adding a promising 6-foot-6 who averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds in international play, continuing the emphasis on international talent and youth development to bolster the roster's depth.

Personal life and legacy

Outside basketball activities

Following his playing career, Pat Riley transitioned into , serving as a for Los Angeles Lakers radio broadcasts from 1977 to 1979 alongside play-by-play announcer . After stepping down as head coach of the Lakers in 1990, he joined as a studio analyst during the 1990–91 season, providing commentary on national television coverage of league games. Riley authored two notable books drawing from his basketball experiences to explore themes of and . His first, Show Time: Inside the Lakers' Breakthrough Season (1988), detailed the strategies behind the Lakers' 1987 NBA championship run and became a New York Times bestseller. This was followed by The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players (1993), a motivational guide applying team dynamics to business and personal achievement, which also achieved New York Times bestseller status. In the post-1990s era, Riley established himself as a prominent and corporate consultant, delivering keynotes on topics such as , , and peak performance to executives and organizations. His presentations, often incorporating concepts like of more" from his coaching philosophy, have been featured at business conferences and used to inspire sales teams and corporate leaders. Riley has pursued business interests in , acquiring and developing luxury properties that have contributed to his financial portfolio. Notable examples include a beachfront Malibu estate rented out for $18,500 monthly in the early and a , mansion sold for $16.75 million in after a decade of ownership.

Family and philanthropy

Pat Riley married Chris Rodstrom, a former marriage and family counselor, on June 26, 1970, shortly after his early professional basketball days with the San Diego Rockets. The couple adopted two children, James Patrick Riley in 1985 and Elisabeth Marie Riley in 1989, who have remained central to their family life amid Riley's frequent career relocations from to New York and . Chris Riley played a pivotal role in supporting Pat's demanding schedule, often acting as an informal counselor to his players and their families during his coaching tenures, which helped maintain stability during team transitions and high-pressure seasons. Throughout his career, Riley's provided unwavering emotional backing, enabling his in NBA roles by fostering a sense of perspective amid professional challenges. In post-career reflections, Riley has emphasized achieving better work-life balance, noting after 50 years in the league that he finally feels equipped to prioritize and friends alongside his achievements, regretting earlier imbalances driven by intense focus on . Riley's philanthropic efforts, often in partnership with his wife, center on youth development and community support in . They co-founded the Pat Riley Family Foundation in 2007, a private nonprofit that directs grants toward education initiatives and programs, disbursing funds to organizations aiding at-risk children in the region. Complementing this, the Rileys established the Family Outreach in 1997 through the team's charitable arm, raising over $23 million to benefit local families via scholarships, health services, and youth activities, including long-term involvement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and for sports and mentorship opportunities.

Career statistics and records

NBA player statistics

Pat Riley played nine seasons in the NBA from 1967 to 1976, appearing in 528 regular-season games and accumulating career averages of 7.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. His overall (PER) during this period was 11.2, reflecting his role as a reliable guard off the bench. The table below details Riley's regular-season per-game statistics by year and team:
SeasonTeamGPPPGRPGAPG
1967-68SDR807.92.21.7
1968-69SDR568.82.02.4
1969-70SDR365.31.62.4
1970-71544.91.01.3
1971-72676.71.91.1
1972-73557.31.21.5
1973-74729.51.82.1
1974-754611.01.82.6
1975-762TM624.70.80.9
Career5287.41.61.7
In the playoffs, Riley participated in 44 games across six postseason appearances, averaging 5.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, with career playoff totals of 251 points. His performances peaked during several Lakers playoff runs, including 9.4 points per game in seven contests during the 1971 Western Conference playoffs and 7.8 points per game in the 1974 postseason.

College statistics

During his three seasons with the University of Kentucky Wildcats from 1964 to 1967, Pat Riley established himself as a prolific scorer and rebounder under coach , contributing significantly to the team's success in the (SEC). His scoring output progressed notably from his sophomore year, peaking as a junior before a slight dip in his senior season due to increased defensive attention and team dynamics. The following table summarizes Riley's per-season statistics, focusing on games played, points per game (PPG), and rebounds per game (RPG), which highlight his development as a versatile guard-forward:
SeasonGamesPPGRPGNotable Achievements
1964–652515.08.5Team contributor on sophomore squad
1965–662922.08.9SEC Player of the Year; led SEC in scoring
1966–672617.47.7All-SEC First Team; team captain
Over his collegiate career, Riley amassed 1,464 points and 672 rebounds across 80 games, averaging 18.3 PPG and 8.4 RPG—figures that ranked him 18th on Kentucky's all-time scoring list at the time. In the context of 1960s SEC play, where pace was slower and physicality higher without a shot clock until later, Riley's efficiency stood out; his true shooting percentage reached .543 in 1965–66, and he led the conference in total points (637) that year while maintaining strong rebounding rates against taller opponents. This performance underscored his adaptability in an era emphasizing half-court sets and defensive grit, earning him All-American honors as a junior. His high school exploits at Linton High School in Schenectady foreshadowed this recruitment by Rupp.

Head coaching record

Pat Riley compiled a regular season head coaching record of 1,210 wins and 694 losses (.636 ) over 24 NBA seasons from 1981–82 to 2007–08, spanning stints with the , , and .

Regular Season Records by Team

Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1990)

Riley coached the for nine seasons, achieving a record of 533 wins and 194 losses (.733 ). Note: 1981-82 was a partial season (71 games coached). The following table summarizes his annual performance:
SeasonGamesWinsLossesWin %
1981-82715021.704
1982-83825824.707
1983-84825428.659
1984-85826220.756
1985-86826220.756
1986-87826517.793
1987-88826220.756
1988-89825725.695
1989-90826319.768
Total737533194.733

New York Knicks (1992–1995)

Over four seasons with the Knicks, Riley posted 223 wins and 105 losses (.680 winning percentage). Annual results are detailed below:
SeasonGamesWinsLossesWin %
1991-92825131.622
1992-93826022.732
1993-94825725.695
1994-95825527.671
Total328223105.680

Miami Heat (1996–2008)

Riley coached the Heat in 11 seasons (partial stints in 1998-99 lockout and 2005-06), recording 454 wins and 395 losses (.535 winning percentage). He did not coach in 2003-04 or 2004-05. The seasonal breakdown is as follows:
SeasonGamesWinsLossesWin %
1995-96824240.512
1996-97826121.744
1997-98825527.671
1998-99503317.660
1999-00825230.634
2000-01825032.610
2001-02823646.439
2002-03822557.305
2005-06614120.672
2006-07824438.537
2007-08821567.183
Total849454395.535
In the , Riley's teams amassed 171 wins and 111 losses (.606 ) across 24 appearances, securing five NBA championships: four with the Lakers in 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988, and one with the in 2006.

Awards and honors

College

  • Third-team All-American (AP): 1966
  • SEC Player of the Year: 1966
  • First-team All-SEC: 1966

NBA championships

Coaching awards and honors

  • 3× NBA Coach of the Year: 1990, 1993, 1997
  • 9× NBA All-Star Game head coach: 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1998
  • 11× NBA Coach of the Month (January 1983, March 1985, November 1985, November 1986, February 1988, March 1994, December 1997, February 1998, December 2001, February 2006, March 2007)
  • One of the 10 greatest coaches in NBA history: 1996
  • One of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history: 2022

Executive awards and honors

  • NBA Executive of the Year: 2011

Overall

  • Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee: 2008 (as contributor)

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  49. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/14669732/miami-heat-president-pat-riley-says-lebron-james-never-asked-erik-spoelstra-fired
  50. https://www.skysports.com/nba/news/36226/12328871/pat-riley-lebron-james-comments-earn-miami-heat-president-25k-nba-fine-for-violating-anti-tampering-rules
  51. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29847319/pat-riley-one-year-rebuild-miami-heat-eastern-conference-finals
  52. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/2025_games.html
  53. https://www.nba.com/news/heat-pat-riley-court-dedication
  54. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29375065/the-decision-high-stakes-maneuvers-lebron-james-dwyane-wade-chris-bosh
  55. https://nbaanalysis.net/pat-riley-on-the-truth-behind-signing-lebron-james-and-chris-bosh-for-miami-heat-and-his-one-regret/
  56. https://apnews.com/heat-take-kentuckys-bam-adebayo-at-no-14-in-nba-draft-5b9abfe782cc4c4d97e71a2ff6c16eb4
  57. https://www.basketball-reference.com/executives/rileypa01x.html
  58. https://www.si.com/nba/2023/09/27/bucks-damian-lillard-trade-heat-offer-comparison
  59. https://allucanheat.com/heat-still-reaping-benefits-failed-damian-lillard-trade-demand
  60. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43710183/sources-heat-finalizing-jimmy-butler-trade-warriors
  61. https://www.nba.com/news/jimmy-butler-heading-to-warriors-in-multi-player-deal-with-heat
  62. https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/nba-draft-results-heat-select-jakucionis-20th
  63. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r9BHrpqRZc
  64. https://www.amazon.com/Show-Time-Inside-Lakers-Breakthrough/dp/0446514276
  65. https://www.amazon.com/Winner-Within-Life-Plan-Players/dp/0425141756
  66. https://www.sellingpower.com/3528/the-pat-riley-formula-for-a-winning-sales-plan
  67. https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/pat-riley/
  68. https://www.trulia.com/blog/legendary-nba-coach-pat-riley-renting-out-malibu-home/
  69. https://www.aol.com/news/2013-02-11-pat-riley-nba-coach-home-demolished.html
  70. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-05-29-sp-7567-story.html
  71. https://www.basketballnetwork.net/off-the-court/pat-riley-on-impact-his-wife-had-on-the-showtime-lakers
  72. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/260360749
  73. https://www.nba.com/news/history-executive-of-the-year-winners
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