Rick Adelman

Last updated

Rick Adelman
Rick Adelman.png
Adelman in 1970
Personal information
Born (1946-06-16) June 16, 1946 (age 76)
Lynwood, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school St. Pius X (Downey, California)
College Loyola Marymount (1965–1968)
NBA draft 1968 / Round: 7 / Pick: 79th overall
Selected by the San Diego Rockets
Playing career1968–1975
Position Point guard
Number12, 21, 5
Coaching career1977–2014
Career history
As player:
1968–1970 San Diego Rockets
1970–1973 Portland Trail Blazers
1973–1974 Chicago Bulls
1974–1975 New Orleans Jazz
1975 Kansas City-Omaha Kings
As coach:
1977–1983 Chemeketa CC
1983–1989 Portland Trail Blazers (assistant)
1989–1994 Portland Trail Blazers
1995–1997 Golden State Warriors
1999–2006 Sacramento Kings
2007–2011 Houston Rockets
2011–2014 Minnesota Timberwolves
Career highlights and awards
As player:

As coach:

Career playing statistics
Points 3,579 (7.7 ppg)
Rebounds 1,129 (2.4 rpg)
Assists 1,606 (3.5 apg)
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Career coaching record
NBA1042–749 (.582)
Basketball Hall of Fame as coach

Richard Leonard Adelman (born June 16, 1946) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He coached 23 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Adelman served as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves. [1] He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in the class of 2021. [2]

Contents

Early life and playing career

Adelman at Loyola University Rick Adelman Loyola.jpg
Adelman at Loyola University

Adelman was born in Lynwood, California, the son of Gladys (née Olsen) and Leonard Joseph "L. J." Adelman, who were from North Dakota and worked as teachers and farmers. [3] Adelman began his basketball career in high school at Pius X High School in Downey, CA, then matriculated to collegiate stardom at Loyola University of Los Angeles, now known as Loyola Marymount University. [4] In the 1968 NBA draft, he was selected by the San Diego Rockets (now the Houston Rockets) in the 7th round. [5] He played two seasons in San Diego before being taken by the expansion Trail Blazers in the 1970 expansion draft; he then played three seasons in Portland. He also played for the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans (now Utah) Jazz, and the Kansas City/Omaha (now Sacramento) Kings. He ended his playing career in 1975.

Coaching career

Chemeketa Community College

From 1977 through to 1983, Adelman coached at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon.

Portland Trail Blazers

He was then hired by the Portland Trail Blazers (then coached by Jack Ramsay) as an assistant. When Ramsay was fired and replaced with Mike Schuler in 1986, Adelman was retained; when Schuler was in turn fired during the 1988–89 season, Adelman was promoted to interim coach. After leading the team into the playoffs that year (despite a 39–43 record), Adelman was given the coaching position on a full-time basis in the 1989 off-season.

The next three years were quite successful for Adelman and the Trail Blazers; the team went to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992 (losing to the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls respectively) and went to the Western Conference finals in 1991 (losing to the Los Angeles Lakers). Adelman spent two more years with the team, but was dismissed after the 1993–1994 season.

Golden State Warriors

In 1995, Adelman was hired as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He was unable to duplicate his success in Portland, and was fired after only two years with the team.

Sacramento Kings

After a year's absence from the sidelines, Adelman was hired by the Sacramento Kings in 1998. Under Adelman's guidance, the Kings were one of the most successful teams in the Western Conference, qualifying for the playoffs every year of his Sacramento career.

During the Kings' 2000 playoff run, they met Phil Jackson's Los Angeles Lakers. Adelman questioned Jackson's motivational techniques when it was learned that Jackson compared Adelman to Adolf Hitler. [6]

In 2002, the Kings made a serious run for the NBA Finals. After clinching the first seed in the competitive Western Conference, the Kings blazed through the opening two rounds but lost to the Lakers in a controversial series with noticeably lopsided officiating in favor of the Lakers. [7]

In 2006, Adelman (in the final year of his contract) led the Kings to the playoffs. Despite the team struggling early in the regular season, the Kings rebounded and qualified for the playoffs as the #8 seed. Although competitive, they were defeated 4–2 by the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. Adelman's contract with the Kings expired at the end of the 2005–2006 season. On May 9, it was reported by the Sacramento Bee that his contract would not be renewed. The Kings did not reach the playoffs again until 2023, nearly 17 years later.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets brought in Adelman as their new head coach five days after the dismissal of Jeff Van Gundy on May 18, 2007. Van Gundy had taken the Rockets to three playoff appearances in four years with no series victories. In his first season as head coach, Adelman guided the Rockets to a 22-game winning streak from January through March 2008, the third-longest winning streak in NBA history. However, they lost in the first round in six games.

In the 2009 season, the Rockets finished fifth in the West with a 53–29 record. They entered the playoffs without their star shooting guard, Tracy McGrady, due to an injury. Despite this loss, the Rockets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in six games to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 1997. Although they would lose the series to the Los Angeles Lakers, they also proved their resilience by taking the series to seven games despite the loss of star center Yao Ming in Game 3 of that series.

Adelman won his 800th career game, 13th among coaches in NBA history, on March 24, 2008, against the Sacramento Kings. [8]

On April 18, 2011, the Houston Chronicle reported that the Rockets would not give Adelman a new contract; Adelman and the team parted ways after four seasons and two playoff appearances. [9]

Minnesota Timberwolves

On September 13, 2011, the Minnesota Timberwolves confirmed the hiring of Adelman as their new coach. [10]

On April 6, 2013, Adelman won his 1,000th career game with a victory over the Detroit Pistons, becoming just the eighth coach in NBA history ever to do so. [11]

On April 21, 2014, Adelman announced his retirement from coaching in the NBA. It was also announced that he would stay with the Timberwolves as a consultant. [1] Adelman ranks ninth in terms of games coached and games won. He went 79–78 (.503) in playoff games and advanced to the NBA Finals twice, both times with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1990 and 1992 where they lost to the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls.

Head coaching record

Legend
Regular seasonGGames coachedWGames wonLGames lostW–L %Win–loss %
PlayoffsPGPlayoff gamesPWPlayoff winsPLPlayoff lossesPW–L %Playoff win–loss %
TeamYearGWLW–L%FinishPGPWPLPW–L%Result
Portland 1988–89 351421.4005th in Pacific303.000Lost in First Round
Portland 1989–90 825923.7202nd in Pacific21129.571Lost in NBA Finals
Portland 1990–91 826319.7681st in Pacific1697.563Lost in Conf. Finals
Portland 1991–92 825725.6951st in Pacific21138.619Lost in NBA Finals
Portland 1992–93 825131.6223rd in Pacific413.250Lost in First Round
Portland 1993–94 824735.5734th in Pacific413.250Lost in First Round
Golden State 1995–96 823646.4396th in Pacific————Missed Playoffs
Golden State 1996–97 823052.3667th in Pacific————Missed Playoffs
Sacramento 1998–99 502723.5403rd in Pacific523.400Lost in First Round
Sacramento 1999–00 824438.5375th in Pacific523.400Lost in First Round
Sacramento 2000–01 825527.6712nd in Pacific835.375Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Sacramento 2001–02 826121.7441st in Pacific16106.625Lost in Conf. Finals
Sacramento 2002–03 825923.7201st in Pacific1275.583Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Sacramento 2003–04 825527.6712nd in Pacific1275.583Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Sacramento 2004–05 825032.6102nd in Pacific514.200Lost in First Round
Sacramento 2005–06 824438.5374th in Pacific624.333Lost in First Round
Houston 2007–08 825527.6713rd in Southwest624.333Lost in First Round
Houston 2008–09 825329.6542nd in Southwest1376.538Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Houston 2009–10 824240.5123rd in Southwest————Missed Playoffs
Houston 2010–11 824339.5245th in Southwest————Missed Playoffs
Minnesota 2011–12 662640.3945th in Northwest————Missed Playoffs
Minnesota 2012–13 823151.3785th in Northwest————Missed Playoffs
Minnesota 2013–14 824042.4883rd in Northwest————Missed Playoffs
Career1,7911,042749.5821577978.503

Personal life

Adelman's son David Adelman is a professional basketball coach.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clyde Drexler</span> American basketball player (born 1962)

Clyde Austin Drexler is an American former professional basketball player and the commissioner of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league. Nicknamed "Clyde the Glide", he played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), spending a majority of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers before finishing with the Houston Rockets. He was a ten-time NBA All-Star and named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams. Drexler won an NBA championship with Houston in 1995, and earned a gold medal on the 1992 United States Olympic team known as "The Dream Team". He was inducted twice into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, in 2004 for his individual career and in 2010 as a member of the "Dream Team". Drexler is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players and greatest shooting guards of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Porter</span> American basketball player and coach

Terry Porter is an American former college basketball coach and former player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was most recently the head men's basketball coach at the University of Portland. A native of Wisconsin, he played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point before being drafted 24th by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1985 NBA draft. In Portland, he played ten seasons with two All-Star Game appearances. Porter spent 17 years in the NBA as a player. Following his retirement as a player in 2002, he began coaching in the league. Porter has twice been a head coach, first with his hometown Milwaukee Bucks and then with the Phoenix Suns.

Gawen DeAngelo "Bonzi" Wells is an American college basketball coach and former professional player who is the head coach of the LeMoyne-Owen Magicians men's basketball team. He played college basketball at Ball State University and was drafted in the 1998 NBA draft. In the NBA, Wells played for five teams from 1998 to 2008: the Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and New Orleans Hornets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Van Gundy</span> American basketball commentator and former coach

Jeffrey William Van Gundy is an American commentator for ESPN and former basketball coach. He served as head coach of the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). During his tenure on the Knicks, he led the team to the 1999 NBA Finals, where they ultimately lost to the San Antonio Spurs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Ariza</span> American basketball player (born 1985)

Trevor Anthony Ariza is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He won an NBA championship in his first stint with the Lakers in 2009. He played college basketball for one season with the UCLA Bruins before being selected as the 43rd pick of the 2004 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. He also previously played for the Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, and Miami Heat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003–04 NBA season</span> 58th NBA season

The 2003–04 NBA season was the 58th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Detroit Pistons defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 in the 2004 NBA Finals.

The 1991–92 NBA season was the 46th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Chicago Bulls winning their second straight NBA Championship, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. This would be Larry Bird's final season in the NBA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990 NBA Finals</span> 1990 basketball championship series

The 1990 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1989–90 National Basketball Association (NBA) season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The series pitted the defending NBA and Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons against the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Schuler</span> American basketball coach (1940–2022)

Michael Harold Schuler was an American basketball coach in both college and the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers from 1986 to 1992 and compiled a win–loss record of 179–159. He won the NBA Coach of the Year Award in 1987, becoming the second rookie coach to be conferred the honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 NBA playoffs</span> Postseason tournament

The 2003 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2002–03 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets, 4 games to 2, in the NBA Finals. Tim Duncan was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 NBA playoffs</span> Basketball competition

The 2004 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2003–04 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers four games to one in the NBA Finals. Chauncey Billups was named NBA Finals MVP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 NBA playoffs</span> Postseason tournament

The 2000 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1999–2000 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers four games to two. Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Finals MVP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 NBA playoffs</span> Postseason tournament

The 1999 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association’s 1998-99 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks 4 games to 1. Tim Duncan was named NBA Finals MVP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 NBA playoffs</span> Postseason tournament

The 1996 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1995–96 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls defeating the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics 4 games to 2. Michael Jordan was named NBA Finals MVP for a then record fourth time.

Theodore Roosevelt Dunn is an American former professional basketball player who was most recently an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Elston Howard Turner Sr. is an American former professional basketball player who currently works as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Houston Rockets</span> Aspect of history surrounding the Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before moving to Houston, Texas.

The 1988–89 season was the 19th season of the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team was racked with dissension and posted a 25–22 record before head coach Mike Schuler was fired in mid-February; assistant coach Rick Adelman was promoted to replace him on an interim basis. After the Blazers reached the 1989 NBA Playoffs, Adelman was made the head coach on a full-time basis. At midseason, the team traded Kiki Vandeweghe to the New York Knicks. After holding a 25–21 record at the All-Star break, the Blazers played below .500 for the remainder of the season, and finished fifth in the Pacific Division with a 39–43 record, eighth in the Western Conference, qualifying for the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.

The 1993–94 NBA season was the 24th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association. In the off-season, the Blazers acquired Harvey Grant from the Washington Bullets, and signed free agent Chris Dudley. However, an ankle injury limited Dudley only to just six games. The Blazers held a 27–20 record at the All-Star break, and finished the season with a 47–35 record, fourth in the Pacific Division and seventh in the Western Conference. It was their 12th straight trip to the postseason.

The 1994–95 NBA season was the 25th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association. The Blazers 25th season was marked by change as they played their final season at the Memorial Coliseum with new head coach P.J. Carlesimo. The team also had the 17th overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft, and selected Aaron McKie out of Temple University. The Blazers started their season defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in their first two games, which were played in Yokohama, Japan. The team got off to a 6–6 start, and played around .500 for the first half of the season, holding a 25–20 record at the All-Star break, as Terry Porter only played just 35 games due to an ankle injury.

References

  1. 1 2 Rick Adelman to announce retirement ESPN.com
  2. ↑ "Kings Legends Chris Webber, Rick Adelman Headline Electees into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame". NBA.com .
  3. ↑ The Long, Hot Winter: A Year in the Life of the Portland Trail Blazers - Rick Adelman, Dwight Jaynes - Google Books
  4. ↑ "Richard Leonard Adelman". Basketball-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Richard Leonard Adelman (Rick)". databaseBasketball.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  6. ↑ Sports: Veterans keeping Pacers in contention
  7. ↑ National Basketball Association criticisms and controversies#2002 Western Conference Finals – Kings vs. Lakers
  8. ↑ NBA on Yahoo! Sports - News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games
  9. ↑ Windhorst, Brian (April 18, 2011). "Source: Rick Adelman, Rockets split". ESPN. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  10. ↑ Proven winner takes challenge Star Tribune.
  11. ↑ Pistons vs. Timberwolves - Game Recap - April 6, 2013 - ESPN
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.