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Due to how competitive the modern NBA has become, it is becoming more and more difficult for teams to challenge for a title. While plenty of time used to be afforded to a rebuild, front offices are now intent on always being in contention, and head coaches often pay the ultimate price for a lack of success on the court.
Winning is the primary aim of coaches in any sport, although with the NBA having the highest turnover in coaches among major leagues - win ratios are especially important. So, of the 30 coaches currently leading NBA teams, here we will take a look at the individuals with the winningest regular-season records.
#5 Erik Spoelstra - Win Percentage: 59.3
After injuries ended his playing at the age of 26, Erik Spoelstra took up an assistant role coach with the Miami Heat back in 1997. Spoelstra spent more than a decade in the role before replacing Pat Riley as head coach in 2008 at just the age of 37. Spoelstra delivered playoff basketball during his first two seasons with the team, and he hit the jackpot in 2010 as LeBron James opted to take his talents to South Beach.
With a starting trio of James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, the Heat finished top of the Southeast standings in four consecutive seasons and were also crowned champions in 2012 and 2013. Following James' departure in 2014, Spoelstra has led the Heat to the playoffs just twice, although he has never guided his side to fewer than 37-regular season wins. Overall, Spoelstra has guided the Heat to 559 wins from his 943 games in charge - giving him a 59.3 percent win ratio.
#4 Billy Donovan - Win Percentage: 60.8
Before making the move to the NBA, Billy Donovan spent two decades with the University of Florida, notably winning back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007. He was appointed Oklahoma City Thunder head coach in 2015, and in his first season in charge, Donovan guided the Thunder to a 55-27 record - before coming within one-win of the 2016 NBA Finals.
Following the departure of Kevin Durant, Donovan managed to successfully refocus his team around Russell Westbrook, and the Thunder have finished with at least 47-wins over the past three seasons. However, the 54-year-old's biggest achievement has come during the current campaign as he has guided an unfancied OKC team to a 35-22 record. After overseeing 234 wins in his 385 games in charge of the Thunder, Donovan is among the NBA's most underrated head coaches.
#3 Gregg Popovich - Win Percentage: 67.6
After taking over as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs in 1996, Gregg Popovich quickly changed the projection of the franchise, and the 71-year-old is now regarded among the greatest coaches in NBA history. Popovich has delivered five titles to the Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), and thanks to his longevity and leadership, Popovich became the coach with the most wins in league history in April 2019.
Popovich has led the Spurs to a winning record in every campaign since the 1997–98 season and has also delivered five 60+ win seasons. In all, Popovich has overseen an incredible 1876 regular-season games as head coach of the Spurs, delivering 1269 wins (67.6%).
#2 Steve Kerr - Win Percentage: 71.5
The Golden State Warriors' woeful form this season has resulted in Steve Kerr losing his title as the winningest head coach in NBA history, although he still sits second on the all-time list. In his first season as head coach of Golden State, Kerr led his side to a 67-15 regular-season record as the Warriors lifted the 2015 NBA championship.
Fuelled by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green - the Warriors posted a 73-9 during the 2015-16 season, giving Kerr the record for most wins recorded in a season. Over the next three seasons, the Warriors tallied up another 182 wins - although the 2019-20 campaign has been a different story as Kerr's side sit bottom of the West with 12-45 record. Nevertheless, Kerr still holds a 71.5% win ratio from his 467 games in charge, and the Warriors should be back in contention next year.
#1 Nick Nurse - Win Percentage: 71.9
Nick Nurse's unconventional journey to the NBA has been well documented, although the 52-year-old has established himself as one of the league's best coaches since replacing Dwane Casey as head coach of the Toronto Raptors in 2018. While many experts questioned Nurse's appointment over the experienced Casey, the Raptors finished the 2018-19 season with a 58-24 record, before going on to clinch winning their first championship in franchise history.
Following the departures of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green last summer, the Raptors were expected to struggle, although Nurse has guided his side to a 42-15 record, and has also overseen the longest win in franchise history and the biggest margin of victory. From his 139 games in charge, Nurse has led the Raptors to 100 wins, and his 71.9 percent win ratio is currently the best in NBA history
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