The "Showtime" era came to an end in 1990 when Riley stepped down as head coach of the Lakers. His departure marked the end of an era in Los Angeles, but it was far from the end of Pat Riley's impact on the NBA.
New York Knicks Era
After a year away from coaching, during which he worked as a television commentator, Riley returned to the sidelines in 1991 as the head coach of the New York Knicks. This move represented a significant shift for Riley, both in terms of geography and basketball philosophy.