Pat Riley Calls for NBA Coaches to Bring Suits Back to the Sidelines
pat-riley-calls-for-nba-coaches-to-bring-suits-back-to-the-sidelines
LOS ANGELES — Basketball Hall of Famer Pat Riley wants a wardrobe change in the NBA. Speaking to reporters on Feb. 22 after the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a statue in his honor outside Crypto.com Arena, the former Lakers coach said he believes head coaches should return to wearing suits and ties during games.
“I think an audience wants to see somebody on the sidelines who looks like a leader, dresses like a leader and acts like a leader,” the 81-year-old executive for the Miami Heat said. Riley noted that his affinity for formalwear dates to a 1978 meeting with designer Giorgio Armani in Milan and added that he still relies on vintage 1980s and 1990s Armani pieces from his own closet. He also revealed he purchased 20 pairs of his preferred black patent-leather shoes before the style was discontinued.
Decades of Success in a Suit
Riley’s polished appearance became a signature during his coaching career. He guided the Lakers to four championships in a 10-year span and later spent 11 seasons on the Miami Heat bench. As an executive in Miami for the past 18 years, he has added three more titles and four additional NBA Finals trips to his résumé—all while dressed in tailored suits.
Lakers Struggles Draw Criticism
Riley was not the only franchise legend making headlines over the weekend. Former Lakers forward and current studio analyst James Worthy criticized the team’s effort after a lopsided loss to the Boston Celtics, saying the performance fell short of the organization’s standards.
The statue unveiling and Riley’s comments capped a celebratory day for the Lakers, even as on-court results continue to face scrutiny from the team’s storied alumni.
Source: Lakers Nation
