The first time I met Rick Adelman was just after becoming the Sacramento Bee sports editor six years ago. I introduced myself during the media availability after a practice and then the sparks flew.
With seconds after I shook his hand, he started in on me: “You’ve got to do something about your columnist.” He was referring to Bee sports columnist Ailene Voisin, who had a long-running battle with the coach.
It quickly showed me Adelman’s direct and business-like approach to coaching. It showed me he had no-nonsense attitude. Looking back, it now shows me why he did not have his contract renewed for the second time in five years when the Houston Rockets declined to re-sign him Monday.
There is no question that Adelman is a winner. He has a 945-616 coaching record. He is the eighth-winningest coach in NBA history. He will always be revered in Portland for taking the Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals twice and Sacramento for being the Kings’ most successful coach.
But at each stop it seems his honesty has gotten him in trouble with those who signed his paychecks. At Portland, he angered owner Paul Allen by sticking with veterans and keeping the younger players on the bench. He was fired after two years with the Golden State Warriors for doing the same thing. And after a successful run in Sacramento, he was let go by the owners, the Maloof Brothers, reportedly because they didn’t feel welcome around their team.
On Monday the buzz was Adelman and the Rockets parted ways because he didn’t agree with General Manager Daryl Morey on the direction of the team. You certainly can see Adelma’s side. While he got some of the pieces he wanted to contend (like former Kings guard Kevin Martin), he had to deal with Yao Ming’s injuries and Tracy McGrady’s mood.
It’s funny though how the Blazers and the Kings spent so much time lamenting the breakup with Adelman. After releasing Adelman, the Blazers went five seasons before getting out of the first round of the playoffs. Since severing ties, the Kings have gone five seasons and six coaches with no playoff appearances.
The future looks bright for Adelman, who should coach again and get his 1,000th victory. He’s known for what he can do with a veteran lineup. But after missing the playoffs the past two years, the future looks bleak for the Rockets without Ming. And it’s a good bet that the Rockets will miss Adelman more than he will miss them.
Adelman out as Rockets coach after four years [ESPN]
