Hall of Fame Coach Rick Adelman Dies at 79
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Rick Adelman, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and one of the NBA’s winningest coaches, has died at the age of 79, the National Basketball Coaches Association announced Tuesday.
Over nearly three decades on NBA benches, Adelman amassed a 1,042-749 record while leading the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves. His teams reached the postseason 16 times, and he guided Portland to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992.
Adelman began his NBA coaching journey as a Trail Blazers assistant before taking over as head coach during the 1988-89 season. He later oversaw the high-powered Kings squad that advanced to the 2002 Western Conference finals, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in a seven-game series.
Known for an inventive offensive system that emphasized ball movement and skilled passing big men, Adelman earned widespread respect across the league. He was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021 and received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
Prior to coaching, Adelman played seven NBA seasons. He stepped away from coaching in 2014.
Adelman is survived by his family, including son David Adelman, who currently serves as head coach of the Nuggets.
Source: Hoops Wire
