Legendary NBA Coach Rick Adelman Dies at 79
Rick Adelman, a celebrated Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and influential figure in the NBA, has passed away at the age of 79. The National Basketball Coaches Association shared the news on Monday. Adelman, father of Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman, leaves behind a legacy as one of the NBA’s all-time winningest coaches, having played seven seasons before transitioning to coaching.
During his coaching career, Adelman achieved 1,042 wins, ranking 10th in NBA history. Only a few coaches, such as Pat Riley and Gregg Popovich, have a better winning percentage and coached more games. He led the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals twice and also served as head coach for Sacramento, Houston, Minnesota, and Golden State.
“The Denver Nuggets were extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Fame Head Coach Rick Adelman,” the team expressed. “Our thoughts are with head coach David Adelman, the entire Adelman family, and friends who knew Rick.”
The basketball community remembers Adelman not only for his coaching and playing roles but also as a mentor. The coaches’ association recognized him with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle once noted, “Adelman’s NBA coaching career has been highlighted by innovation, integrity, and excellence.”
Adelman’s NBA journey began unexpectedly. Initially aiming to be a high school coach, he started his coaching career at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon. His success there caught the attention of Portland Trail Blazers coach Jack Ramsey, who offered Adelman a staff position. After working under Ramsey and Mike Schuler, he became interim coach with 35 games left in the 1988-89 season.
With the support of Blazers owner Paul Allen, Adelman led the team through a successful 1989-90 season. Portland won 59 games, reaching the NBA Finals with stars like Clyde Drexler. He returned to the finals two years later before moving to Golden State and Sacramento, where his strategic approaches gained widespread recognition. Kings players like Vlade Divac and Chris Webber thrived under his leadership.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described him as “a brilliant strategist and teacher of the game, and an even better person.”
Adelman’s influence touched many players, including Kyle Lowry, who credited him for trust and support: “He actually challenged me and poured into trusting me…that was important for me.” Adelman also made a mark in Houston, leading the Rockets to a 22-game winning streak in 2008, one of the longest in NBA history.
The Portland Trail Blazers, acknowledging Adelman’s dual roles as player and coach, stated, “Rick was one of the most influential figures in franchise history.” His contributions remain deeply embedded in the hearts of those who were fortunate to witness his impact on the game.