Pat Riley shares why Michael Cooper was crucial for the Lakers success in the 80s: “Without a doubt, one of the great players I ever coached”

The Los Angeles Lakers entered their golden age in the 1980s when Earvin "Magic" Johnson was drafted. He was a game-changer for the team because he was a willing playmaker who wanted to get everyone involved.

Magic, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy often get credited for being the Lakers' biggest stars. However, LA's supporting cast helped them reach the highest level and win championships. A player from that cast who deserves love and respect is Michael Cooper, who head coach Pat Riley always praised for his contributions.

"The zest that he had when it came to taking the challenge to stop somebody, he really wanted to stop somebody," Riley said on Vintage NBA about Cooper. "Without a doubt, one of the great players I ever coached and a real integral part of our championship run."

Coop was the phenomenal defender that LA needed

With Magic, Kareem, and James, the Lakers had a big three they could build around. They had all the characteristics for the building blocks, as they cemented themselves as the trio to compete against the Boston Celtics' trio of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale.

Due to all that talent on the roster, the Lakers needed players they could rely on to play a lesser role on offense but do the other vital intangibles. Coop was the perfect choice for LA because he became the team's primary defender due to his lengthy limbs and fearlessness .

Every star perimeter player who played against the Lakers had to deal with Coop. He became a familiar face for every superstar because he was a tenacious defender to play against, especially with his relentless defense and hustle.

That kind of defense made Coop an unpopular matchup because everyone knew he would try his best to defend them no matter who they were. Cooper had no issues playing against everyone because he knew his hard work on defense would pay off and help the team win games.

Riley and the Lakers organization valued Coop

When the Lakers needed a defensive stopper, they knew they could rely on Coop to step up. That role is significant for any player because the rest of the team trusts them to be the difference between both teams. That selflessness made Coop a valuable asset for the team because he never complained about his role.

That is why members of that Lakers era still love talking about Cooper. He was a class act off the court and a great hard-working teammate during that golden age. Magic is a big fan of Coop, even celebrating the former's Hall of Fame induction.

"My boy made it! My boy made it! My boy Coop made the Hall of Fame," Johnson said about Cooper. "Damn! I was hollering, man, when I heard it. I couldn't believe it. I was so excited for him, man."

With that kind of praise from Riley and Johnson, Michael's role on the team becomes clearer. He was vital to the team and deserves praise for his contributions to the Laker's dominance during that era.

Related: Michael Cooper believes he would be an elite wing player in the modern-day NBA: "I think I'd be able to handle most scorers"