Rick Adelman, NBA Hall of Fame basketball coach, dies at 79
FILE-Rick Adelman of the Minnesota Timberwolves watches play against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 28, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Rick Adelman, a Basketball Hall of Fame head coach who played seven years in the NBA before becoming one of the league’s all-time winningest coaches, died. He was 79 years old.
The National Basketball Coaches Association announced the news about Adelman on Monday, but his cause of death was not revealed. Adelman is also the father of Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman.
Who was Rick Adelman?
The backstory:
Rick Adelman won 1,042 games as a head coach, which ranks as 10th-most in NBA history.
Only Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan, and George Karl coached more games and had a better winning percentage than Adelman, who took the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals twice, according to an NBA release.
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Adelman was also the head coach of the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Golden State Warriors.
He also played in the NBA from 1969 through 1975 as a point guard for five different teams — but went on to become a coach.
NBA commissioner and several teams release statements remembering Rick Adelman
What they're saying:
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, the Houston Rockets, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Golden State Warriors all reflected on the life and legacy of Rick Adelman in a series of posts on X.
Silver released a statement about Adelman writing in part that he was "one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the history of the NBA."
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The Portland Trail Blazers paid tribute to Adelman, who played for the team from 1970-73 and transitioned to an assistant coach role from 1983-89 before becoming the head coach from 1989-94.
The team wrote in part that the "organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a franchise legend and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer. Rick was one of the most influential figures in franchise history, a member of the inaugural 1970 team and integral coach throughout the 80s and 90s, guiding the team to Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992."
The Sacramento Kings also shared their thoughts on the Hall of Fame coach, stating in part that he "will be remembered for the way he inspired those around him — with humility, integrity, kindness, and an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork."
Adelman was a coach for the Houston Rockets from 2007 to 2011 and the team touted his "professionalism, integrity and deep commitment to the game."
The Minnesota Timberwolves reflected on the career of Adelman, who coached the team from 2011-14, writing in part that he "exemplified leadership, integrity and professionalism throughout his distinguished career."
The Golden State Warriors remembered Adelman for his creativity during his two-year stint with the team as a coach from 1995 to 1997.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by an NBA news release and social media posts from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, and Minnesota Timberwolves. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.