The Los Angeles Lakers honored one of their most iconic figures with a statue unveiling ceremony, celebrating a legendary career that helped define the franchise’s championship tradition. Pat Riley, whose name is synonymous with Lakers excellence both as a player and coach, was in attendance for the special occasion that brought together basketball royalty to commemorate his contributions to the sport.
What did Pat Riley Say About JJ Redick?
During the festivities, Riley took time to address the current state of the Lakers organization, including a commentary on the team’s current head coach, JJ Redick. The Hall of Famer’s perspective carries significant weight given his unparalleled success across multiple decades and his unique understanding of what it takes to lead a championship franchise in Los Angeles.
When asked about the Lakers’ decision to hire JJ Redick as head coach, Pat Riley offered glowing praise for the former sharpshooter turned sideline leader. “I love JJ. I really do,” Riley began, establishing his genuine admiration for the new head coach. “My teams competed against him in various teams that he played with. He’s a fiery guy. He could shoot the hell out of the ball. He was tough as nails.”
Pat Riley: “I love JJ [Redick]. I really do. My teams competed against him in various teams that he played with. He’s a fiery guy. He could shoot the hell out of the ball. He was tough as nails…I don’t know. Sometimes I look back and I remember myself at that time and I looked… https://t.co/3TNAyCDWYv pic.twitter.com/WvcgOsIC8V
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) February 23, 2026
Riley’s endorsement carries particular significance given his legendary status in basketball coaching circles. His teams faced Redick numerous times throughout the guard’s long career, giving him firsthand knowledge of Redick’s competitiveness and basketball intelligence on the court every night.
The legendary executive and coach drew parallels between Redick’s journey and his own path into coaching, offering a thoughtful reflection on the Lakers’ choice. “I don’t know. Sometimes I look back, and I remember myself at that time and I looked at JJ and I think they picked the right person,” Riley said, suggesting he sees similar qualities in Redick that helped make his own transition from player to coach successful.
Riley went further in his assessment, highlighting intangible qualities that separate good coaches from great ones. “There’s just a quality about him, I think, that goes above and beyond,” he noted, pointing to something deeper than just basketball knowledge or tactical acumen that makes Redick suited for the Lakers’ high-pressure environment.
The comparison to Riley’s own career trajectory is particularly interesting. Riley transitioned from being a role player on championship Lakers teams in the 1970s to becoming one of the most successful coaches in NBA history. He understands better than most what it takes to command respect in the Lakers’ locker room and navigate the intense scrutiny that comes with coaching in Los Angeles.
For Redick, who has faced questions about his lack of prior coaching experience since taking the job, Riley’s endorsement represents validation from one of basketball’s most respected minds.
The first-year coach has worked to establish his authority while managing a roster featuring superstars like LeBron James and Luka Dončić, a challenge that requires both tactical expertise and strong leadership.
The Lakers will hope Riley’s instincts prove correct as they continue their championship pursuit under Redick’s guidance. If the first-year coach can channel even a fraction of Riley’s success, the organization will be thrilled with their decision to entrust their franchise to the former three-point specialist.
