The Miami Heat announced on Monday that they will honor Hall of Fame coach and current team president Pat Riley by naming the court at the Kaseya Center after him.
At 79, Riley has been with the Heat organization since 1995, initially serving as the head coach and team president. He stepped down as head coach in 2003, returned in 2005, and stepped down again in 2008, but he has remained team president.
“Naming the court after me would have made my parents very proud. It’s a tremendous honor for me, Chris, and my family,” Riley stated. “I can only express my heartfelt gratitude to [Heat managing general partner Micky Arison] and the Arison family for this honor. And to all the players, coaches, staff, and super fans thank you.”
During his tenure as head coach, Riley led the Heat to a record of 454-395, achieving eight playoff appearances and a championship over 11 seasons.
As president, Riley has brought stars like Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Jimmy Butler. Under head coach Erik Spoelstra, who took over after Riley stepped down in 2008, the Heat have won two titles and reached six NBA Finals.
There’s a strong argument that Riley is the most significant figure in Heat history.
“Thirty years, three championships, countless moments—none of it would have been possible without Pat Riley at the helm,” Arison remarked. “Pat has done so much for this franchise and this city, so it’s only fitting that his name is forever etched on the hardwood, reminding us daily of his impact on the game and the Heat.”
Before joining the Heat, Riley won four championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s and led the New York Knicks to the playoffs four consecutive times in the early 1990s, reaching the NBA Finals in the 1993-94 season.
Riley ranks fifth all-time among NBA head coaches with 1,210 regular-season wins and second in postseason wins with 171, trailing only Phil Jackson’s 229. His five championships tie him for third in NBA history with Gregg Popovich and John Kundla, behind only Jackson (11) and Red Auerbach (nine).
Auerbach is the only other coach in NBA history to have a court named after him as the Boston Celtics play on the Red Auerbach Parquet Floor at TD Garden.
