Longtime NBA head coach Rick Adelman, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, has died at the age of 79, the National Basketball Coaches Association announced in a press release.
Adelman, who played seven years in the the league, started his NBA coaching career as an assistant with the Trail Blazers. After six years as an assistant, he took over as interim head coach of Portland in 1988/89.
Adelman led the Cylde Drexler-era Blazers to two trips to the NBA Finals and another run to the Western Conference finals in his five full seasons as head coach before parting ways with the organization at the conclusion of the ’93/94 campaign.
After a one-year hiatus, Adelman had a two-season stint with the Warriors, had another one-year break, then spent eight successful seasons with the Kings, making the playoffs on each occasion. He led Sacramento to a berth in the Western Conference finals in ’01/02, when the team lost to the Lakers in an epic seven-game series.
Adelman, who spent four years with the Rockets and three with the Timberwolves to conclude his 29-year coaching career, ranks 10th on the all-time wins list for head coaches. He compiled a 1042-749 record (.582 win-loss percentage) in his 23 seasons as a head coach, making the playoffs 16 times. His playoff record was 79-78 (.503 win percentage).
The NBCA named Adelman the winner of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. Adelman was known as an offensive guru, often running sets through big men who were skilled passers.
We at Hoops Rumors send our condolences to Adelman’s family and friends. Adelman’s son David Adelman is currently head coach of the Nuggets.
Great coach. RIP
RIP Rick Adelman 🙏 was a good ride.
Rick Adelman played 7 seasons in the NBA from 1968 to 1975. Then became a HOF coach.
God Speed Player
shoulda been a champ with the kings
corrupt refs/nba took it away, gave it to kazaam
Was going to say this myself
I knew Rick Adelman when he was the HC of a Community College before Dr Jack Ramsey reached down & made him an Assistant Coach with the Blazers. Rick was a real nice guy. Before he was fired by Paul Allen & Bert Kolde Rick was stabbed in the back by fellow Blazer Employee Steve Jones during the Playoffs saying that Rick was going to be fired, I lost a lot of Respect for Steve Snapper Jones because I believe you don’t stab a Co Worker in the back just to make yourself look better. Hopefully Rick went into the Hall of Fame as a Blazer, Rick was the 1st Blazer Drafted in the Expansion Draft in 1970. Condolences to David & To the entire Adelman Family.
R.I.P., coach Adelman. ‘02 Kings one of the best teams in NBA history to not (be allowed to) win the whole thing.
Rick Adelman’s record speaks for itself. A brilliant tactician and a coach that understood the game from a player’s perspective. A large part of his success was his ability to adapt to the changing game and changing player skill sets.
He had the good fortune to arrive in the coaching seat in Portland just as Paul Allen was beginning to invest in the for sustained success. A solid and stable core of players helped propel him quickly to the rarified air of the NBA Finals.
Solid NBA player and an even better coach. RIP Rick.