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Since the inaugural season in 1946-47 many great coaches have graced the NBA with their expertise in its 71-year history. They have revolutionized the league over the years be it with various tactical innovations or finding the best ways to maximize their chances of winning by exploiting the rule changes before anyone else could.
There are however four coaches who stand well clear of the rest of the pack. The debate often circles around the order in which they should be placed and it's a never-ending one. In this article, I try to place them based on their accolades and the circumstances under which they achieved them.
Honorable Mentions
John Kundla
Kundla was the coach of perhaps the NBA's first dynasty. He led the Minneapolis Lakers to five championships in six seasons between 1949-1954. The Lakers managed to snap up George Mikan in 1949 and he was one of the driving forces behind their 5 titles. After 1954 however, Kundla wasn't able to lead the Lakers to a winning record in his last five seasons.
Chuck Daly
Daly led the Detroit Pistons to back to back titles in 1989 and 1990. Daly's Pistons got somewhat sandwiched between the dominant Celtics of the 80's and the up and coming Bulls who would win 6 titles in the 90's. Daly famously implemented the Jordan rules against the Bulls in an attempt to stop Jordan, which involved being excessively physical at times to limit his influence. While the Pistons managed to hold off Jordan and win back to back titles, they would get swept the following year. Daly never managed to get past the 1st round of the Playoffs for the rest of his career.
Another huge part of his legacy is being the head coach of the famed 1992 Olympic Dream Team.
5. Larry Brown
Honors: 1x NBA Champion, 1x Coach of the Year (2000-01)
Record: Regular Season: 1098-904 (0.548), Playoffs: 100-93 (0.518)
Larry Brown was Mr. Fix it in the NBA for a long time, known for turning losers into winners. One instance that sticks out is his tenure with the Clippers. The Clippers had made the playoffs only 3 times in their first 21 seasons, Brown coached them for 2 of those years and made the playoffs on both occasions.
He reached 3 NBA Finals in his career, once with Philly and twice with Detroit. Brown professed a team-oriented approach and made adjustments based on the players in the teams he took over. All three of his NBA finals appearances though were based on solid defenses, especially the title-winning Pistons. The 2004 Pistons dominated teams, at one point holding teams under 70 points for 5 successive games, an NBA record.
Brown had his flaws, however. He often called out players in the media and clashed with the point guards in his team.
Brown could have ranked higher on this list if he didn't keep switching teams. He would often build teams up from the ashes and then leave, unable to capitalize and win more titles. This showed up, especially in Detroit. With a chance at potentially building a dynasty, Brown instead flirted with the prospect of joining other teams. He would part ways with the Pistons in 2005 only to join the Knicks who missed the playoffs a season before.
4. Pat Riley
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.
3. Gregg Popovich
Honors: 5x NBA Champion, 3x Coach of the Year
Record: Regular Season: 1150-506 (0.694), Playoffs: 166-106 (0.610)
Pop has remained a model of consistency in his 21 seasons in San Antonio. Like his mentor Larry Brown, Pop professed a team-oriented approach and a strong defense. The Spurs have been one of the best defensive teams in the League for much of his tenure and never more so than in his earlier triumphs. That defense was the base on which they won 3 titles in 5 seasons between 2003-2007. While some coaches adapt their system based on personnel, Pop only gets in players who fit his system.
He has shown his adaptability as a coach over the years with all the rule changes and innovations in the league. From winning his 1st title in 1999 with the Twin Towers in Duncan and Robinson to his latest win in 2014 based on a small ball and 3 pointers oriented process.
He is known to get on his players at times, but Pop is generally well liked and respected by his players and even opposing players for example LeBron. His career, however, can be divided into 2 halves when it comes to titles. He won 4 in his first 11 seasons, but the next 10 have resulted in just one.
Nevertheless, no coach has managed to win with such consistency with what at times was an average roster, especially last season when they won 61 games in the Western Conference with just 1 All-Star.
2. Red Auerbach
Honors: 9x NBA Champion, 1x Coach of the Year
Record: Regular Season 823-426 (0.659), Playoffs 91-60 (0.603)
Red Auerbach was the architect of the most dominant 10 year stretch in NBA history. He led the Celtics to 9 titles between 1956-66. He focused on more of a team-oriented approach over individual brilliance which was the norm back then. He is regarded as a pioneer of the modern NBA.
His early Celtics teams struggled in the playoffs, but that changed when they drafted Bill Russell as Auerbach had realized that defense was more important than offense. He also brought forward the importance of fast break points, something the rest of the league hadn't completely caught up to at that point. Auerbach was disliked by his opponents and his sideline antics infuriated a lot of them. He was however extremely well liked by his own players.
After the 1965-66 season, Auerbach stepped down as a coach to became the General Manager and eventually President of the team. All in all, Auerbach was involved in 16 out of the 17 titles won by the Celtics.
While many point out that he coached in an era with only 8 teams, it is important to realize that he is the reason why none of the all-time greats like Chamberlain, West, and Robertson have more than 2 titles. None of the 3 mentioned won a title while he was coaching.
1. Phil Jackson
Honors: 11x NBA Champion, 1x Coach of the Year
Record: Regular Season 1155-485 (.704), Playoffs 229-104 (.688)
Jackson famously introduced the "Triangle" offense to the NBA. The goal of the offense is to create good spacing between players which allowed each one to pass to four teammates. Every pass and cut has a purpose and everything can be switched based on the defense.
Jackson took over the Bulls in 1989 and success soon followed. He implemented the Triangle as a way to counter the "Jordan Rules" implemented by the Pistons. The Bulls won 3 titles in a row between 1991-93 after which Jordan retired. While still competitive post-Jordan, they wouldn't win a title. With Jordan back in 1995, the Bulls won 3 in a row again between 1996-98.
He then joined the Lakers in 1999, a talented bunch unable to win a title. Again implementing the Triangle, Jackson led the Lakers to 3 titles in a row from 2000-02 with Shaq and Kobe leading the way. He then won back to back titles in 2009 and 2010.
Despite clashing heads with his players over the years, Jackson was very much liked by them. Jordan told Bulls GM, Jerry Krause, that should Jackson be let go, he'd retire. Krause would and Jordan retired.
Detractors often point out that Jackson had Jordan for his first 6 titles and Bryant for his next 5. While obviously true, it is easy to forget that neither ever won a title without him.
