Rick Adelman, architect of some of the NBA's best offenses and Hall of Famer, dead at 79
Rick Adelman, a Hall of Fame head coach who amassed more than 1,000 career victories while guiding five NBA franchises over 23 seasons, died Monday at age 79, the National Basketball Coaches Association announced. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Adelman leaves behind a legacy as one of the most successful and respected coaches in league history. His 1,042 regular-season wins rank 10th in NBA history, and he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
"Rick Adelman was one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the history of the NBA," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "Following his NBA playing career, Rick turned to coaching where his leadership, innovation and genuine love for basketball left a lasting impression on generations of players and fellow coaches over his nearly 30-year run. He was a brilliant strategist and teacher of the game, and an even better person. I send my deepest condolences to Rick's family and many friends throughout the league."
Before his distinguished coaching career, Adelman spent seven seasons as an NBA point guard after the San Diego Rockets selected him in the 1968 draft. He transitioned to coaching, where he would leave an indelible mark on the league.
His head coaching journey began with the Portland Trail Blazers during the 1988-89 season. Adelman quickly transformed the franchise, leading a roster built around shooting guard Clyde Drexler to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992.
In 1998, Adelman took over the Sacramento Kings, a team he would guide for eight seasons. Under his leadership, the Kings reached the playoffs every year and advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2002, where they fell in a closely contested series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Adelman's coaching career also included stops with the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, compiling an overall regular-season record of 1,042 victories against 749 losses.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Kay, along with their six children—including current Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman—and 12 grandchildren.