Rick Adelman

Rick Adelman began his coaching career at Chemeketa Community College in Oregon’s capital city of Salem. Adelman, a seven-year NBA journeyman, always felt that coaching might be in his future. Still, the former point guard of the Portland Trail Blazers never imagined that his coaching brilliance would outstrip even the greatest of successes he enjoyed as a player. Adelman returned to Portland in 1983, where for three seasons he was a steady, enthusiastic assistant under legendary coach Jack Ramsay. Soon it would be Adelman’s turn to try his hand at returning the Blazers to the glory days. He wasted no time. In his first full season as head coach, Adelman led Portland to 59 regular season wins and the 1990 NBA Finals. Two seasons later, the Blazers landed in the NBA Finals again, Adelman’s read-and-react offense the perfect fit for veterans like Buck Williams, Terry Porter, and Clyde Drexler. Adelman coached 23 seasons in the NBA and led his teams – including the Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and Houston Rockets – to the playoffs on 16 occasions. Adelman won 1,042 games in all.