Rick Adelman achieved remarkable success in his 23-season career as an NBA coach. Over the years, he led his teams to the playoffs 16 times, with 11 seasons winning at least 50 games. Twice, he guided the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals.
Adelman’s journey to the top was unconventional. He started coaching at a community college level before leading the Portland Trail Blazers to great heights. His remarkable ascent is marked by a transition from coaching at Chemeketa Community College to landing a role as an assistant coach under Jack Ramsay in 1983.
Known for working with star players like Clyde Drexler in Portland, Chris Webber in Sacramento, and Yao Ming in Houston, Adelman was respected for his leadership and strategic acumen. His achievements include being one of the few NBA coaches to win over 1,000 regular-season games.
Adelman, standing at 6-foot-1, began his NBA career as a player. He was part of the Portland Trail Blazers’ inaugural team in the 1970-71 season and played for five different NBA teams over seven years before retiring in 1975. Following his playing career, he initially focused on pursuing coaching in high school or lower-level college basketball.
The NBA Coaches Association announced Adelman’s passing in a social media statement, without revealing the cause or location of his death. He was 79 years old.
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