Magic Johnson is often mentioned by former players and analysts as the greatest point guard in NBA history. He shined during the 1980s with the Los Angeles Lakers, coached by Pat Riley, leaving an indelible mark on the league’s history. Now, he’s revealed one of the secrets behind that success.
“Pat is a straight shooter,” Johnson said during a recent interview on the Legends of Sport Podcast. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Michael Cooper, Byron Scott, Kurt Rambis, Bob McAdoo, you name it. If you didn’t follow the instructions or blew an assignment, whether it was the best player or number 12 on the team, you’re going to get the same amount of Pat Riley.“
Magic went on to discuss how Riley demanded the best from the players, pushing them to perform at their highest level. “He allowed us to have input, and that’s what made him a great coach, because we were always going to be prepared, and he demanded that we execute his game plan, both on offense and defense,” said the former guard. “And then give 150% and be physical and mean at the same time.”
At the same time, the Lakers legend acknowledged Riley’s ability to impose his authority. “Pat believes in controlling everything. He did a fabulous job of doing just that. He believed that everyone had to be focused and had the goal to win,” explained Johnson. “He wanted to make sure that every detail was under his control. I love that he coached us hard, that he pushed us to greatness. The details matter to him.”
Pat Riley and Magic Johnson on August 22, 2012.
Magic Johnson’s tremendous praise for Pat Riley
In the same interview, Magic Johnson praised his former Lakers coach and recognized the impact Riley has had on the NBA. “I’m just happy that I played for Pat Riley, Hall of Famer, one of the best coaches to ever coach basketball,” said the former point guard.
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“I mean, who could say that, right? Go from being one of the two or three best coaches ever in history to now being one of the best executives of all time as well. You talk about greatness. He did that as a coach and now is doing that as an executive. Only Pat Riley,” Magic concluded.
Pat Riley: A Lakers legend
Few NBA icons can match the resume of Pat Riley. He’s held nearly every possible role in the league—from player to media analyst, to assistant coach, head coach, and finally executive—and has excelled in all of them, winning championships wherever he’s gone.
As a player, he was part of the 1972 championship-winning Los Angeles Lakers team. After retiring and briefly working as an assistant broadcaster, he became an assistant to Paul Westhead during the 1980 title run. He then took over the Lakers as head coach in 1981, ushering in a golden era for the franchise.
The Showtime Lakers boasted two of the greatest players of all time in Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, along with other stars like James Worthy and Michael Cooper. They dominated the NBA during the 1980s, alongside the Boston Celtics, reaching the Finals seven times and winning four championships.
Riley after the Lakers
After leaving the Lakers in 1990, Riley took over as head coach of the New York Knicks, transforming them into formidable rivals for Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and leading them to the NBA Finals against the Houston Rockets in 1994.
In 1996, Riley left New York for Miami, becoming the president and head coach of the Heat, and leading them to their first NBA championship in 2006, with Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade. Since 2008, Riley has not been the head coach but remains the president of the Heat, playing a crucial role in the successful tenure of Erik Spoelstra, guiding the team to back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
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