Pat Riley gets ‘greatest coach’ validation from Magic Johnson amidst Stephen A Smith’s wild ‘cookie’ statement 

NBA legend Pat Riley received immense praise from Lakers legend Magic Johnson despite Stephen A. Smith trolling the former HC.

Pat Riley gets ‘greatest coach’ validation from Magic Johnson amidst Stephen A Smith’s wild ‘cookie’ statement 

Magic Johnson, Pat Riley and Stephen A Smith

Pat Riley, an NBA great, celebrated his 80th birthday recently. As a coach with the LA Lakers and a team administrator with the Miami Heat, he will be remembered as one of the NBA’s most significant individuals, having won championships with both. Before accepting the position as coach in 1981, Riley played with the Lakers in the early 1970s and helped them win the title in 1972.

Numerous NBA superstars, including Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, have benefited from the success of the five-time winning-head coach and two-time champion executive. In addition, Johnson took to his socials to wish Riley. In the process, Johnson also reminded the NBA world of Riley’s importance in his career.

Happy 80th birthday to Pat Riley, the greatest coach that’s ever coached in the NBA. Not only was he amazing with x’s and o’s and game planning, he was also a genius at in-game adjustments and we were always prepared for our opponents.  He knew how to get the most out of every single player.  People don’t know this but Pat Riley created small ball!

Magic Johnson wrote on X
YouTube video

On the contrary, NBA analyst Stephen A Smith is not much sold on Riley’s legacy at the Miami Heat. It is mostly because he let the likes of LeBron James and Jimmy Butler leave. Smith claimed that James left for ‘chocolate chip cookies’, aiming a swipe at Riley. For context, Riley was against James eating cookies, and hence Smith’s remarks come as a jab towards him.

You’re Pat Riley, and your legacy is going to be … LeBron James left for chocolate chip cookies.

Stephen A Smith via First Take

However, Riley remains unfazed by these remarks especially after what he has achieved in the sport. He launched the Showtime Lakers and led the Lakers to an amazing five titles in the 1980s. This came with Magic Johnson, the first draft pick, playing a key role in the team’s success.

Magic Johnson opened up on an ‘interesting’ Pat Riley story

In addition to Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the other stars, the Los Angeles Lakers dominated the 1980s thanks to coach Pat Riley’s relentless pursuit of excellence. Magic and his team had already won four championship rings following the 1987 NBA Finals. They defeated their bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics, to win one of their sweetest triumphs.

However, Johnson and the Lakers soon discovered that winning a chip was only a temporary target during the championship journey. In front of thousands of Lakers supporters, Coach Riley announced that the team would win the 1988 NBA Title. This irritated Johnson, who recently opened up on a podcast.

We had already won four championships. But if you want to be great, you gotta go back-to-back. He was right. We all hated him for doing it at the parade. We just beat the Celtics. Can we have a break? Just give us some time to party and have some fun.

Magic Johnson said on the Legend of Sport podcast

Nevertheless, Riley stuck to his words towards the Lakers’ fanbase and delivered the 1998 NBA title. The Lakers faced the Detroit Pistons back then led by star man Isiah Thomas. However, it was Riley’s brilliance and his players’ mentality that got them back-to-back in 1988.

Lakers set to built Pat Riley a statue outside their arena

To join Lakers superstars on Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Lakers commissioned a statue honoring Pat Riley. Along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Cooper, Magic Johnson, A.C. Green, Kurt Rambis, James Worthy, Vlade Divac, Karen West, and Chris Riley, Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss shared plans with Riley via video call in 2024.

Pat is a Lakers icon. His professionalism, commitment to his craft and game preparation paved the way for the coaching we see across the league today.

Jeanie Buss said via the video call

Riley’s fast-break offensive strategy transformed the game and made the Lakers the most thrilling team of the 1980s. Riley won NBA Coach of the Year in 1989–1990, his last season as the Lakers’ coach. No doubt, he is one of the greatest to coach an NBA side in history. As such, the Lakers will honor with a statue.