Rick Adelman

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Lore & Background

Adelman's tenure with the Rockets was marked by resilience and playoff breakthroughs. In the 2008-09 season, the Rockets finished fifth in the West with a 53–29 record. Despite losing star shooting guard Tracy McGrady to injury, the team defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in six games to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 1997. They pushed the Los Angeles Lakers to seven games in that series, even after losing star center Yao Ming in Game 3. Adelman's Rockets made two playoff appearances in his four seasons, but the team never advanced past the second round.

In Their Own Story

The 2008-09 season was a testament to Adelman's coaching. The Rockets entered the playoffs without their star shooting guard, Tracy McGrady, due to an injury. Despite this loss, the Rockets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in six games to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 1997. Although they would lose the series to the Los Angeles Lakers, they proved their resilience by taking the series to seven games despite the loss of star center Yao Ming in Game 3.

Reader's Guide

Adelman's Houston Rockets era (2007–2011) was defined by a historic regular-season winning streak and deep playoff runs despite key injuries. In his first season, the Rockets won 22 straight games from January through March 2008, the third-longest winning streak in NBA history. However, they lost in the first round of the playoffs in six games. The following season, the Rockets finished 53–29 and finally broke through in the playoffs, winning their first series since 1997. Adelman won his 800th career game on March 24, 2008, against the Sacramento Kings. On April 18, 2011, the Houston Chronicle reported that the Rockets would not give Adelman a new contract, and he parted ways with the team after four seasons and two playoff appearances.

Did You Know?

• Adelman was hired by the Rockets on May 18, 2007, just five days after the dismissal of Jeff Van Gundy.
• He guided the Rockets to a 22-game winning streak from January through March 2008, the third-longest in NBA history at the time.
• Adelman won his 800th career game on March 24, 2008, against the Sacramento Kings.