Rick Adelman, who led the Sacramento Kings to eight consecutive playoff seasons, has died at age 79.
When Adelman arrived in Sacramento in 1998, the Kings had only reached the playoffs twice since arriving in the city. He took the team to the postseason in each of his eight seasons. His record in Sacramento was 624-395 (.633). After his departure in 2006, the team would not return to the playoffs until the 2022-23 season.
Here’s a look back at photos from Adelman’s tenure in Sacramento.
Sacramento Kings head coach Rick Adelman speaks during a news conference in Sacramento on Sept. 17, 1998, shortly after being named to the role. HECTOR AMEZCUA Sacramento Bee file
Sacramento Kings head coach Rick Adelman rubs his eyes as Chris Webber wipes his face off during his first practice with the team on Jan. 22, 1999. Sacramento Bee file
Sacramento Kings head coach Rick Adelman shows frustration from a missed shot off a steal at the end of the first half of a game against the Golden State Warriors at Arco Arena Wednesday, April 21, 1999. KIM D. JOHNSON Sacramento Bee file
Sacramento Kings coach Rick Adelman discusses strategy with Doug Christie against Cleveland on Jan. 15, 2002 at Arco Arena. CHRIS CREWELL Sacramento Bee file
Kings coach Rick Adelman talks to Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic and Jon Barry in the final seconds of their victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 26, 1999. HECTOR AMEZCUA Sacramento Bee file
Sacramento King coach Rick Adelman reacts during Game 1 of the Western Conference Playoffs between the Utah Jazz and the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena on April 19, 2003. RANDY PENCH Sacramento Bee file
The Sacramento Kings’ Chris Webber gets instruction from coach Rick Adelman during a timeout against the Phoenix Suns Jan. 13, 2002 at Arco Arena. CHRIS CREWELL Sacramento Bee file
Sacramento Kings head coach Rick Adelman disputes a call during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Arco Arena on March 24, 2002. JOSE M. OSORIO Sacramento Bee file
Sacramento Kings coach Rick Adelamn watches the action from the sidelines in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Dallas Mavericks at Arco Arena on May 13, 2002. CHRIS CREWELL Sacramento Bee file
A third quarter Los Angeles Lakers comeback amuses actor Jack Nicholson, but is less than pleasing for Sacramento Kings coach Rick Adelman in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on May 26, 2002, at Staples Center. Sacramento Bee file
Sacramento Kings head coach Rick Adelman waits alone on the bench for the start of Game 6 of the Western Conference Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Arco Arena on May 5, 2006. RANDY PENCH Sacramento Bee file
Sacramento Kings head coach Rick Adelman walks from the court after losing 105-83 in Game 6 of the Western Conference Playoffs between the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs at Arco Arena on May 5, 2006. PAUL KITAGAKI JR. Sacramento Bee file
A Sacramento Kings fan holds up a sign in support of former Kings coach Rick Adelman at Arco Arena on Dec. 1, 2007. RANDY PENCH Sacramento Bee file
Bee visuals editor Nathaniel Levine joined the staff in 2003. His work has received awards from the Society of News Design, the Best of the West journalism competition and the California News Publishers Association, among others. A native Californian, Levine grew up in Grass Valley and attended UC Davis.
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