Top 5 NBA coaches of all time

Gregg Popovich
Gregg Popovich

4. Pat Riley

Miami Heat v Los Angeles Lakers

Honors: 5x NBA Champion, 3x Coach of the Year

Record: Regular Season: 1210-694 (0.634), Playoffs: 171-111 (.606)

Riley led the "Showtime" Lakers to 4 titles in the 1980's. While the first 2 titles with LA were built on their high paced offense, as the years went by and the squad began to age, he would adjust the offensive scheme. Over the years, however, his relationships with players deteriorated and he'd step down in 1990.

He went on to coach the Knicks in 1991. Many felt it was an odd fit. While his Lakers were an offensive juggernaut, the Knicks were a defensive team. Riley's Knicks would be some of the greatest defensive teams in history. He led them to their 1st Finals appearance in 21 years in 1994 but they lost to the Rockets. He would leave the season after and join the Heat.

Riley's 1st stint as a coach with the Heat would be disappointing and he'd step down in 2003. He would, however, resume his role as Head Coach in 2005 and they won the title in 2006. He would step down again in 2008.

Riley could have gone higher up the list, but for his failure at winning a title for 14 years, between his last title with LA and the one with Miami. He isn't completely at blame for that of course. Those years coincided with the peak of Jordan and no one in the league had an answer for him at that time.

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