Rick Adelman, a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, passed away at the age of 79, as announced by the National Basketball Coaches Association. Adelman, father of Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman, was renowned for his tremendous impact on the NBA, both as a player and as one of the most successful coaches of all time. The cause of his death was not immediately disclosed.

Adelman won 1,042 games as an NBA coach, making him the 10th-all-time winningest coach in league history. He ranked among the top five coaches along with Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan, and George Karl in terms of games coached and winning percentage. His coaching journey included leading the Portland Trail Blazers to two NBA Finals and successful stints in Sacramento, Houston, Minnesota, and Golden State. The Denver Nuggets expressed their sorrow over his passing, sending condolences to Coach David Adelman and the family.

The National Basketball Coaches Association honored Adelman with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. A statement from them highlighted his role as an unforgettable mentor in the basketball community. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle praised Adelman’s innovative approach and integrity during his career.

Adelman’s NBA playing career spanned from 1969 to 1975 as a point guard for five teams. However, coaching became his true calling. The Sacramento Kings remembered him for his humility, kindness, and belief in teamwork. His coaching path commenced at Chemeketa Community College in Oregon, where he achieved great success. Jack Ramsey, then coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, noticed Adelman’s work and invited him to join his staff. After working under Ramsey and Mike Schuler, Adelman took over as interim coach for Portland with 35 games left in the 1988-89 season.

During his first full season in 1989-90, Portland won 59 games and reached the NBA Finals, only to fall to Detroit. Portland returned to the Finals two years later, facing Chicago. Following his time in Portland, Adelman coached at Golden State before an eight-year tenure in Sacramento, which included eight winning seasons. Known for his innovative offenses, Adelman transformed how the game was played during his time in Sacramento.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called him a brilliant strategist and teacher of the game. Adelman coached 210 players in at least one NBA game. Among them, Kyle Lowry credited Adelman for trusting and challenging him during his playing days.

One of Adelman’s standout achievements was a 22-game winning streak with Houston in 2008, the fourth-longest streak in NBA history. The Rockets reflected on his leadership and professionalism during that period, emphasizing the remarkable nature of the streak.

The Portland Trail Blazers recognized Adelman’s contributions both as a coach and as a member of their inaugural team in 1970. They stated, “Rick was one of the most influential figures in franchise history.”