Career Timeline of Rick Adelman: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Rick Adelman made an impact.

Rick Adelman was a prominent American basketball coach with a 23-season NBA career. He led multiple teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Known for his offensive strategies and player development, Adelman achieved significant success, particularly with the Kings and Rockets. His contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1968: Drafted by San Diego Rockets

In 1968, Adelman was drafted by the San Diego Rockets (now the Houston Rockets) in the 7th round of the NBA draft.

1970: Joined Portland Trail Blazers

In 1970, Adelman was selected by the expansion Trail Blazers in the expansion draft and played for three seasons in Portland.

1975: Ended Playing Career

In 1975, Adelman concluded his playing career.

1977: Coached at Chemeketa Community College

In 1977, Adelman began coaching at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon.

1983: End of Chemeketa Community College Coaching

In 1983, Adelman ended his time coaching at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon.

1986: Hired as Assistant Coach

In 1986, Rick Adelman was hired as an assistant coach by the Portland Trail Blazers.

1988: Named Interim Coach

During the 1988-89 season, Adelman was promoted to interim coach of the Portland Trail Blazers after Mike Schuler was fired.

1989: Named Head Coach of Trail Blazers

In the 1989 off-season, Rick Adelman was officially given the head coaching position for the Portland Trail Blazers.

1990: NBA Finals Appearance

In 1990, Adelman coached the Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Detroit Pistons.

1991: Western Conference Finals Appearance

In 1991, Adelman led the Trail Blazers to the Western Conference Finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers.

1992: Second NBA Finals Appearance

In 1992, Adelman coached the Trail Blazers to their second NBA Finals appearance, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls.

1993: Dismissal after the 1993-1994 season.

After the 1993 season, Adelman spent one more year with the team, but was dismissed after the 1993-1994 season.

1994: Dismissal after the 1993-1994 season.

After the 1993 season, Adelman spent one more year with the team, but was dismissed after the 1993-1994 season.

May 19, 1995: Hired as Head Coach of Golden State Warriors

On May 19, 1995, Rick Adelman was hired as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors.

April 28, 1997: Fired by the Golden State Warriors

On April 28, 1997, Rick Adelman and his assistants were fired from the Golden State Warriors. Adelman felt that the firing seemed inevitable by February.

1997: Rockets last Western Conference Semifinals Appearance

In 2009, the Rockets made it to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 1997.

1998: Hired by Sacramento Kings

In 1998, Rick Adelman was hired by the Sacramento Kings.

2002: NBA Finals Run

In 2002, Adelman's Kings made a serious run for the NBA Finals, losing to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

2005: Adelman's Contract Expiration

Adelman's contract with the Kings expired at the end of the 2005-2006 season. In 2006 the Kings made the playoffs.

2006: Playoff Appearance and Contract Expiration

In 2006, Adelman led the Kings to the playoffs as the #8 seed, where they were defeated by the San Antonio Spurs. Adelman's contract with the Kings also expired at the end of the 2005-2006 season.

May 18, 2007: Hired by the Houston Rockets

On May 18, 2007, Rick Adelman was brought in as the new head coach for the Houston Rockets.

March 2008: 22-Game Winning Streak

From January through March 2008, Adelman guided the Houston Rockets to a 22-game winning streak, the third-longest in NBA history.

March 24, 2008: 800th Career Win

On March 24, 2008, Adelman won his 800th career game against the Sacramento Kings, ranking him 13th among coaches in NBA history at the time.

2009: Western Conference Semifinals Appearance

In the 2009 season, the Rockets finished fifth in the West and defeated the Portland Trail Blazers to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 1997.

April 18, 2011: Parted Ways with the Houston Rockets

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.

September 13, 2011: Hired as Coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves

On September 13, 2011, Adelman was confirmed as the new coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

April 6, 2013: 1,000th Career Win

On April 6, 2013, Adelman secured his 1,000th career game with a victory over the Detroit Pistons, becoming the eighth coach in NBA history to achieve this milestone.