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Rick Adelman, father of Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman, has passed away at the age of 79. The cause of death was not immediately released.
Rick Adelman amassed 1,042 wins as an NBA coach, ranking him tenth all-time in league history. Only four other coaches – Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan, and George Karl – coached more games and boasted a better winning percentage than Adelman, who led the Portland Trail Blazers to two NBA Finals appearances. He also served as head coach for the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors. He was particularly beloved during his Sacramento tenure, a period when Vlade Divac and Peja Stojaković were dominating the NBA.
“Adelman will be remembered not only as a coach and player but also as a mentor to many in the basketball community,” stated the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA), which honored Adelman with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
“Rick Adelman’s NBA coaching career was marked by innovation, integrity, and excellence,” said Indiana coach Rick Carlisle when the association presented him with the award three years prior.
“His teams always played to their strengths, and Rick consistently found subtle ways to redefine NBA basketball to help his players thrive. His quiet, humble nature belies his impact as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time.”
Adelman also played in the NBA from 1969 to 1975 as a point guard for five different teams, but he found his true calling as a coach. The Portland Trail Blazers, for whom Adelman played (1970–1973) and served as an assistant (1983–1989) before taking over as head coach (1989–1994), described him as “one of the most influential figures in franchise history.”
Club Tributes
The Kings, in their tribute, stated that Adelman would be “remembered for the way he inspired those around him – with humility, integrity, kindness, and an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork.”
The Rockets, whom Adelman coached from 2007 to 2011, acknowledged his “professionalism, integrity, and deep dedication to the game.”
The Timberwolves, under Adelman’s leadership from 2011 to 2014, announced that he “exemplified leadership, integrity, and professionalism throughout his illustrious career.”
The Warriors remembered Adelman for his creativity and ingenuity during his two seasons as their coach (1995–1997).
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