Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Reflects on Pat Riley's Impact on Him

Pat Riley is one of the most impactful and influential figures in NBA history. He helped lead one of the greatest franchises in the league’s history, and because of it, the Los Angeles Lakers recently honored him with a statue. During the ceremony, Riley was able to speak about his career and how he had such success with the Lakers in the 80s. One of the biggest reasons for that success was the play of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 

Kareem was recently asked about his feelings towards Riley, and he explained just how important Riley was to his career. 

“It means a great deal to me. I took pride in caring for my body and sustaining a level of play that allowed me to compete for twenty years. Pat always respected my work ethic, my commitment to the team, and the fact that every time I stepped on the court, I aimed to be the very best version of myself…Pat’s support meant a great deal to me. At that point in my career, I understood my value and knew I wasn’t someone who could be easily replaced. But having your head coach stand up for you, publicly and privately, carries a different kind of weight. His belief in me, especially during a moment of speculation and uncertainty, reaffirmed the trust and respect we had built over the years.”

Great players are usually great no matter who they play for. However, for great players to become legends, they often need a great coach behind them. That’s what Riley and Kareem did for each other. They both enhanced each other's careers and allowed the other to flourish to the best of their capabilities.