Ranking the NBA Head Coaches

El Paljasso

El Paljasso

Bench
http://nbasource.com/

13. Rick Adelman, Sacramento (708-443, .615)
-Rick Adelman has to be the only coach in any sport that is considered by many to be the most underrated coach of all time, and by others to be the most overrated coach of all time. Despite twice leading Portland to the NBA Finals ('90 and '92) and coaching typically pathetic Sacramento to 5 consecutive 50 win seasons including a berth in the 2002 Western Conference Finals, Adelman has managed to fly under the radar all these years. But while many commend him for staying out of the limelight while still winning consistently in two of the NBA's smaller markets, others take their shots at him for failing to come up with the big wins and coaching his team to victory when they need him the most. And the truth is, Adelman has been outcoached in crucial games-- just check out his 0-5 record in series-deciding games with the Kings.

12. Stan Van Gundy, Miami (101-63, .616)
11. Scott Skiles, Chicago (182-163, .528)
10. Flip Saunders, Detroit (411-326, .558)
9. Mike D'Antoni, Phoenix (97-96, .503)
8. Jeff Van Gundy, Houston (344-240, .589)
7. George Karl (736-505, .593)
6. Nate McMillan, Portland (212-183, .537)
5. Rick Carlisle, Indiana (205-123, .625)
4. Jerry Sloan, Utah (943-617, .604)
3. Larry Brown, New York (987-741, .571)
2. Phil Jackson, LA Lakers (832-316, .725)
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio (455-233, .661)


imo rick deserves a much better ranking,
 
coaching typically pathetic Sacramento to 5 consecutive 50 win seasons
Click to expand...

LOL! i found this really funny........

edit: adelman is top 10 in the league right now
 
Adelman clearly has a better career record than most of the guys above him. Whether he is actually a better coach or not is up for debate. I believe he is probably better than half the guys above him.

What that little blurb doesn't mention is that in all the game 7's that Adleman lost, his team was the underdog. What it gets right is mentioning his failure "to come up with the big wins and coaching his team to victory when they need him the most." That's the only thing that keeps him from being a truly great coach, in my opinion - never being able to lead his guys to a series upset over a better team.
 
Game 7s or, in previous years, game 5 of the first round. No way D'Antoni or Van Gundy should be on that list- no disrespect to them, but they've had short careers and have been fortunate with the teams given to them. Skiles and McMillan are ranked higher because of recent achievements with underrated teams, and by those standards, had this list been done right when Sac started winning, Adelman would be much higher. As for not winning when it counts, how come Flip Saunders and Sloan are both on there? I do believe Sloan should be higher than Adelman, simply because of the years of achievements that he's had in Utah, but the same criticisms of Adleman can be leveled at everyone else. This list is more like "what coaches had good teams this year and some older coaches that I kinda remember" list rather than a truely best coaches list.
 
um, ok...if this article's take on Adelman is "he can do it all except win the big one", then why are...

12. Stan Van Gundy, Miami (101-63, .616)
11. Scott Skiles, Chicago (182-163, .528)
10. Flip Saunders, Detroit (411-326, .558)
9. Mike D'Antoni, Phoenix (97-96, .503)
8. Jeff Van Gundy, Houston (344-240, .589)
7. George Karl (736-505, .593)
6. Nate McMillan, Portland (212-183, .537)
5. Rick Carlisle, Indiana (205-123, .625)
4. Jerry Sloan, Utah (943-617, .604)

...ahead of Adelman? (actually I'd put Sloan ahead of Adleman too) Could someone explain to me why Flip Saunders is ahead of Adelman? Or the Van Gundy Bro's? or SCOTT FREAKIN SKILES!!!!!???? :mad: :confused:
 
El Paljasso said:
http://nbasource.com/

13. Rick Adelman, Sacramento (708-443, .615)
-Rick Adelman has to be the only coach in any sport that is considered by many to be the most underrated coach of all time, and by others to be the most overrated coach of all time. Despite twice leading Portland to the NBA Finals ('90 and '92) and coaching typically pathetic Sacramento to 5 consecutive 50 win seasons including a berth in the 2002 Western Conference Finals, Adelman has managed to fly under the radar all these years. But while many commend him for staying out of the limelight while still winning consistently in two of the NBA's smaller markets, others take their shots at him for failing to come up with the big wins and coaching his team to victory when they need him the most. And the truth is, Adelman has been outcoached in crucial games-- just check out his 0-5 record in series-deciding games with the Kings.

12. Stan Van Gundy, Miami (101-63, .616)
11. Scott Skiles, Chicago (182-163, .528)
10. Flip Saunders, Detroit (411-326, .558)
9. Mike D'Antoni, Phoenix (97-96, .503)
8. Jeff Van Gundy, Houston (344-240, .589)
7. George Karl (736-505, .593)
6. Nate McMillan, Portland (212-183, .537)
5. Rick Carlisle, Indiana (205-123, .625)
4. Jerry Sloan, Utah (943-617, .604)
3. Larry Brown, New York (987-741, .571)
2. Phil Jackson, LA Lakers (832-316, .725)
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio (455-233, .661)


imo rick deserves a much better ranking,
Click to expand...

1) Pop
2) PJ
3) Brown
4) Carlisle

And that is IT as far as guys that I would definitely put above Rick (I have a lot of confidence in Carlisle).

then all the old vets
5) Sloan
6) Adelman
7) Karl
8) J. Van Gundy
9) Saunders

Then the one year wonders who may or may not deserve the accolades (having failed before):
10) Skiles
11) D'Antoni
12) S. Van Gundy
13) McMillan
 
Teams win; coaches lose.

And, of course, it was Adelman being out-coached that cost us THE most infamous game 7. The abysmal free-throw shooting had absolutely nothing to do with it. If Adelman was a better coach, he could have made sure the guys made their bleeping free throws. [/end dripping acerbic sarcasm}

...

...

...

I could sign on with Bricklayer's list. The original list, IMHO, is just whack.
 
This list screams "I just started following the NBA this past season, so everything is based on the most recent achievements". Skiles, D'Antoni and McMillan don't even crack the top 20 if this list is compiled a year ago.

...and taking the conversation away from Adelman right now, Pop is a great coach, but Phil Jackson has 9 freakin rings...Oh! I forgot, Popavich just won the latest NBA Championship, so he gets the brainless automatic #1 slot. Here's a scary thought, if Shaq and Wade were healthy this past postseason and they won it all, does that mean Stan Van Gundy is the #1 coach for this doofus's list?
 
Last edited:
Bricklayer said:
1) Pop
2) PJ
3) Brown
4) Carlisle

And that is IT as far as guys that I would definitely put above Rick (I have a lot of confidence in Carlisle).

then all the old vets
5) Sloan
6) Adelman
7) Karl
8) J. Van Gundy
9) Saunders

Then the one year wonders who may or may not deserve the accolades (having failed before):
10) Skiles
11) D'Antoni
12) S. Van Gundy
13) McMillan
Click to expand...

Nice list!
 
Dantoni just had one good season with phoenix and was fortunate to have steve nash this year. Whoever made this list just watched the nba this past year because Adelman should be number 5. He has fallen short but you can't ignore his accomplishments of 5 straight 50 win seasons with all the injuries and trades.
 
El Paljasso said:
http://nbasource.com/

13. Rick Adelman, Sacramento (708-443, .615)
-Rick Adelman has to be the only coach in any sport that is considered by many to be the most underrated coach of all time, and by others to be the most overrated coach of all time. Despite twice leading Portland to the NBA Finals ('90 and '92) and coaching typically pathetic Sacramento to 5 consecutive 50 win seasons including a berth in the 2002 Western Conference Finals, Adelman has managed to fly under the radar all these years. But while many commend him for staying out of the limelight while still winning consistently in two of the NBA's smaller markets, others take their shots at him for failing to come up with the big wins and coaching his team to victory when they need him the most. And the truth is, Adelman has been outcoached in crucial games-- just check out his 0-5 record in series-deciding games with the Kings.

12. Stan Van Gundy, Miami (101-63, .616)
11. Scott Skiles, Chicago (182-163, .528)
10. Flip Saunders, Detroit (411-326, .558)
9. Mike D'Antoni, Phoenix (97-96, .503)
8. Jeff Van Gundy, Houston (344-240, .589)
7. George Karl (736-505, .593)
6. Nate McMillan, Portland (212-183, .537)
5. Rick Carlisle, Indiana (205-123, .625)
4. Jerry Sloan, Utah (943-617, .604)
3. Larry Brown, New York (987-741, .571)
2. Phil Jackson, LA Lakers (832-316, .725)
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio (455-233, .661)


imo rick deserves a much better ranking,
Click to expand...

Scott Skiles and Nate McMillan over Rick Adelman, someone is on drugs....:rolleyes:
 
That's a stupid list. What the hell has McMillian done thus far. Same with D'Antoni, Stan Van Gundy, Saunders, Skiles. I like Jeff Van Gundy but he is overrated.
 
ironically, i still put jackson above popovich. sure jackson had mj and pippen, but who said that pippen would have been that good if jackson hadn't coached him? sure he had shaq and kobe, but pop had duncan and robinson when the spurs lost to the laker two years in a row. i think this year will be a test for jackson, but he isn't diminished if he doesn't succeed.
 
Bricklayer said:
1) Pop
2) PJ
3) Brown
4) Carlisle

And that is IT as far as guys that I would definitely put above Rick (I have a lot of confidence in Carlisle).

then all the old vets
5) Sloan
6) Adelman
7) Karl
8) J. Van Gundy
9) Saunders

Then the one year wonders who may or may not deserve the accolades (having failed before):
10) Skiles
11) D'Antoni
12) S. Van Gundy
13) McMillan
Click to expand...
Pretty good ranking. I would put PJ over Pop though. With some experience I think Carlisle would be better than Brown.
 
i might be biased, but carlisle is a bit low on that list....

4 years...4 playoff berths...never a 1st round exit...finished in top 5 for COY every year...3 division titles, this past year being the only exception...

and has a coach ever done more with less, than this past year??? and this past year was the first year he didnt win 50 games, after winning 61 the previous year with a similar team intact...

as far as adelman goes, he doesnt get recognized as being a great coach simply because of the talent he seems to always have....

seems u either get judged by titles or the ability to get a team to overachieve....

adelman misses the boat on both counts.....u might argue that the kings have had an appropriate amount of success with the talent they have had, but i think many would disagree, including many on here....

but i would strongly suggest that his portland teams underachieved, despite having quite a bit of success....those portland teams had scary amounts of talent....if u give most of the coaches rated above adelman the talent he had in portland, most would win at least one title, if not more....
 
foretaz said:
but i would strongly suggest that his portland teams underachieved, despite having quite a bit of success....those portland teams had scary amounts of talent....if u give most of the coaches rated above adelman the talent he had in portland, most would win at least one title, if not more....
Click to expand...

Did you mean the Portland team that had Clyde still in the lineup? If so, they were in the finals twice with Rick as head coach. Might be the reason they lost is because they faced two of the greatest teams in the NBA: Thomas' Pistons and Jordan's Bulls. ;)
 
dukeswh said:
Did you mean the Portland team that had Clyde still in the lineup? If so, they were in the finals twice with Rick as head coach. Might be the reason they lost is because they faced two of the greatest teams in the NBA: Thomas' Pistons and Jordan's Bulls. ;)
Click to expand...

as ive said....those blazers were unbelievably talented....with a number of those other coaches they probably beat both teams....they had the upper hand in both finals series after the first 2 games.....and managed to lose both series in rather convincing fashion....

as i mentioned, adelman has had some of the most talented teams ever assembled....those blazer teams of the late 80s and early 90s were unbelievable....theres very little doubt that a better coach wins a title or 2...

hes been in the pretty fortunate situation to almost always have quite a bit of talent....therefore always had a fair amount of success....but i have a feeling its success that alot of other coaches wouldve had , given the same talent...

its only a shame that both portland and sacramento didnt have better coaches, cause in both cases there probably wouldve been titles won...the kings almost certainly wouldve at least advanced to the finals....
 
^^^What about Jerry Sloan? You can't deny his talent, he's turned absolutely miserable Jazz teams respectable. He also had some awesome teams, including the league MVP and the best man in history to run his team, and he didn't win any rings. So he must be a sucky coach too, right?
 
captain bill said:
^^^What about Jerry Sloan? You can't deny his talent, he's turned absolutely miserable Jazz teams respectable. He also had some awesome teams, including the league MVP and the best man in history to run his team, and he didn't win any rings. So he must be a sucky coach too, right?
Click to expand...

No doubt. ;)
 
jerry got his utah team to the finals twice, a team that wasnt nearly as talented as the portland team....

and my guess is if sloan wouldve been coaching the kings, the kings wouldve been in at least one finals and quite possibly won a title...

but just my opinion.....

i also dont think many of the coaches mentioned wouldve had as bad a record as adelman did at golden state.....he had talent there, as well...not as much in sac and port, but a fair amount nonetheless....and his record there was pretty poor...
 
foretaz said:
jerry got his utah team to the finals twice, a team that wasnt nearly as talented as the portland team....

and my guess is if sloan wouldve been coaching the kings, the kings wouldve been in at least one finals and quite possibly won a title...

but just my opinion.....

i also dont think many of the coaches mentioned wouldve had as bad a record as adelman did at golden state.....he had talent there, as well...not as much in sac and port, but a fair amount nonetheless....and his record there was pretty poor...
Click to expand...

wasn't nearly as talented? i think not:
98 utah jazz: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1998.html
97 utah jazz: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1997.html
92 blazers: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1992.html
90 blazers: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1990.html

it's stockton-malone (2 of the best players in history at their respective positions) vs clyde drexler. granted, portland had some good supporting parts, but making those parts work is part of what adelman does. 2 GOATs on one team aint bad.
 
foretaz said:
those blazers were unbelievably talented....with a number of those other coaches they probably beat both teams....
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but i don't believe that it was Adelman's fault the Blazers were not able to win a title. Do you really think that if it was Pop, LB, or Carlisle was the coach that time they would have won against the bulls who was led by MJ, Pippen, Horace Grant(IMHO, was in his peak form with the bulls) and John Paxson and PJ as coach? Or that they were better than the Pistons who had Thomas, Laimbeer, and Rodman(who were the defending champs after beating the Magic Johnson-led Lakers)? Clyde had a great supporting cast but i don't think they were enough to beat those two teams unless they had a super genius kind of a coach. Leading a series is not enough to be the basis for judging which team is better. It's how they finish it. It's like Sixers winning game 1 on the road against the Lakers. Can't say they were better than the Lakers after winning that game. But this is just my opinion.:)
 
dukeswh said:
I'm sorry but i don't believe that it was Adelman's fault the Blazers were not able to win a title. Do you really think that if it was Pop, LB, or Carlisle was the coach that time they would have won against the bulls who was led by MJ, Pippen, Horace Grant(IMHO, was in his peak form with the bulls) and John Paxson and PJ as coach? Or that they were better than the Pistons who had Thomas, Laimbeer, and Rodman(who were the defending champs after beating the Magic Johnson-led Lakers)? Clyde had a great supporting cast but i don't think they were enough to beat those two teams unless they had a super genius kind of a coach. Leading a series is not enough to be the basis for judging which team is better. It's how they finish it. It's like Sixers winning game 1 on the road against the Lakers. Can't say they were better than the Lakers after winning that game. But this is just my opinion.:)
Click to expand...

yes...i think if those teams have the aforementioned coaches they do win the title...thats my humble opinion....

i didnt say that the first two games indicate who is better....what i was saying is i believe the blazers were better and had an advantage after the first two games in both series, yet manage to lose both in convincing fashion....so yes...i would say he definitely got outcoached....and i also believe with a better coach the outcomes wouldve been quite a bit different....

seriously....look at all the talent that adelman has had everywhere hes went....its no wonder hes had success...it is a bit of a wonder he hasnt had more....and thats why i believe he doesnt get respected as being one of the best coaches....noone is saying hes a bad coach...just not one of the best....and i would agree with that based on the talent and the level of success hes had with that talent...
 
foretaz said:
those blazers were unbelievably talented....
Click to expand...
Actually Adelman did a really great job getting them to the finals twice considering the teams they had to go through to get there:

LA Lakers: Magic, Worthy, AC Green, Vlade Divac.
Utah: Malone, Stockton, Mark Eaton
SA Spurs: David Robinson, Sean Elliott, Maurice Cheeks, Terry Cummings
Houston: Hakeem Olajuwon, Vernon Maxwell, Otis Thorpe
Blazers:Clyde, Terry Porter, Duckworth, Cliff Robinson, Jerome Kersey, Drazen Petrovic
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

V
What should a good NBA GM know - and when should he/she know it ? (A LONG read - be warned)
2
Replies
53
Views
3K
Noble
Noble
Y
Rick Adelman steps down as Minnesota Timberwolves head coach (Ball Don't Lie)
Replies
0
Views
422
Yahoo! Sports - NBA -
Y
Y
BDL's Most Interesting Power Rankings: The race for 73 heats up (Ball Don't Lie)
Replies
0
Views
446
Yahoo! Sports - NBA -
Y
Y
BDL's Most Interesting Power Rankings: The Land of opportunity (Ball Don't Lie)
Replies
0
Views
621
Yahoo! Sports - NBA -
Y
Y
BDL's Most Interesting Power Rankings: Spurs of the moment (Ball Don't Lie)
Replies
0
Views
436
Yahoo! Sports - NBA -
Y
Back
Top