Rick Adelman, a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and one of the NBA’s all-time winningest coaches, has passed away.

He was 79.

His cause of death has not been disclosed.

Adelman, who ranks 10th in NBA history with 1,042 wins, is the father of Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman.

“Rick Adelman was one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the history of the NBA. 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,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

“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,” he added.

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Only four other coaches — Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan and George Karl — coached more games and had a better winning percentage than Adelman, who took the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals twice and also was head coach in Sacramento, Houston, Minnesota and Golden State.

“Adelman will be remembered not only as a coach and a player, but also as a mentor to so many in the basketball community,” read a statement from the coaches’ association, which honored Adelman with its Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.

“Rick Adelman’s NBA coaching career has been highlighted by innovation, integrity and excellence,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said when the NBCA presented that award three years ago. “His teams always played to their strengths, and Rick always found subtle ways to reinvent NBA basketball to help his players thrive. His quiet, unassuming nature belies his impact as one of the great NBA coaches of all time.”

“Rick Adelman was one of the great basketball minds of his generation. In Houston he gave Rockets fans a 22-game winning streak and a memorable 2009 playoff run that pushed Kobe’s eventual champion Lakers to seven games. He coached with toughness, intelligence, and class. May he rest in peace,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) commented.

“The Portland Trail Blazers organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a franchise legend and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer. Rick was one of the most influential figures in franchise history, a member of the inaugural 1970 team and integral coach throughout the 80s and 90s, guiding the team to Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992. Rick’s basketball brilliance helped shape multiple eras of Trail Blazers basketball, earning the respect and admiration of the basketball community and cementing his legacy,” the Portland Trail Blazers wrote.

“His thoughtful leadership, integrity, and kindness impacted all those around him on and off the court. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Adelman family, and all those in the world of basketball who were touched by his impact,” it added.

“The Minnesota Timberwolves are deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman. Adelman served as head coach of the Timberwolves from 2011-14 and exemplified leadership, integrity and professionalism throughout his distinguished career. Serving as head coach for five teams over 23 NBA seasons, he became one of the game’s most respected and accomplished leaders, finishing 10th on the league’s all-time wins list. Adelman made a lasting impact on our organization, his players and the game of basketball,” the Minnesota Timberwolves stated.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to wife Mary Kay, the Adelman family and all who had the privilege of knowing him,” it continued.

“The Sacramento Kings organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Rick Adelman, a beloved coach whose leadership, character, and vision helped define an era of Kings basketball that inspired our city and captivated fans around the world. During his eight seasons in Sacramento, he led the team to unprecedented success and helped create some of the most memorable moments in franchise history. For an entire generation of Kings fans, Coach Adelman represented the very best of Sacramento basketball, and he will be remembered for the way he inspired those around him – with humility, integrity, kindness, and an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork. His leadership helped establish a culture that continues to resonate throughout our organization today,” the Sacramento Kings wrote.

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“Our thoughts are with Mary Kay, his family, friends, former players, and all who loved him,” it added.

More from the New York Post:

Adelman, drafted by the San Diego Rockets out of Loyola Marymount in 1968, played parts of seven NBA seasons for the Rockets, Trail Blazers, Bulls, New Orleans Jazz and Kansas City-Omaha Kings.

He began his coaching career at Chemeketa Community College in 1977 before joining the Trail Blazers as an assistant in 1983. He took over as Portland’s head coach in 1989, leading them to the NBA Finals twice; they lost to the Pistons in 1990 and the Bulls in 1992.

After he was fired in 1994, Adelman sat out a year before taking over the Warriors gig in 1995. He was fired after two disappointing seasons before getting the Kings job in 1998.

The Kings went 16 years without a playoff appearance after Adelman left, and they haven’t won a playoff series since 2004.

 

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