Lost in all the hubbub over last night's win against the Rockets is the announcement this morning that former Blazers' coach Rick Adelman is retiring from basketball. It's been nearly twenty years since Aldeman was associated with the Trail Blazers, but as (IMO) the second-best Blazers' coach of all time (next to only Dr. Jack), and the guy who ran the show during the glory days of Clyde Drexler, a career milestone such as this seems warranted.
Adelman, who will turn 68 this summer, will reportedly remain in the Kings' organization in a consulting role; rumored candidates to replace him include Fred Hoiberg, Tom Izzo, and former Wolves' coach (and current GM) Flip Saunders, the last man to guide the Timberwolves in to the NBA playoffs. This summer is obviously a pivotal one for the Wolves, especially with Kevin Love's impending free agency. But enough about Minnesota.
I always appreciated Adelman as a coach, and was a bit saddened to see him forced out of the organization only a few years after leading the Blazers to the NBA championship, twice. I don't know if another coach could have gotten the '90-'92 Blazers over the IT/MJ hurdle--there are many coaches in the league that wouldn't have made it even that far.
Even though Rick's been coaching a league rival for the past several years, here's to wishing him the best in his retirement.