Greatest Coaches in NBA History: In 1996, as part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the NBA, journalists chose the 10 greatest coaches in NBA history. This was done alongside selecting the 50 greatest players. The list wasn’t ranked. NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the coaches on October 29, 1996, at the Grand Hyatt New York, where the original BAA founding agreements were signed in 1946. The announcement marked the beginning of the season-long celebrations.
Greatest Coaches in NBA History
All ten coaches were alive when they were chosen, and six were still actively coaching. Lenny Wilkens is unique because he is the only coach on this list who was also named among the 10 greatest coaches in NBA history.
10. Lenny Wilkens
Teams: Seattle SuperSonics (1969–1972, 1977–1985), Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1976), Cleveland Cavaliers (1986–1993), Atlanta Hawks (1993–2000), Toronto Raptors (2000–2003), New York Knicks (2004–2005).
| Games | 2487 |
|---|---|
| Winning Record | 1332—1155, 1014—850 (.544) (.536) |
| NBA Title | 1 (1979) |
| Coach of the Year Award | 1 (1994) |
| All-Star Games | 4 (1979, 1980, 1989, 1994) |
| Hall of Fame | 1998 |
9. Pat Riley
Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1990), New York Knicks (1991–1995), Miami Heat (1995–2003, 2005–2008)
| Games | 1904 |
|---|---|
| Winning Record | 1210—694. 798—339 (.702) (.636) |
| NBA Title | 5 (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006 ) |
| Coach of the Year Award | 3 (1990, 1993, 1997) |
| All-Star Games | 9 (1982, 1983, 1985 – 1990, 1993) |
| Hall of Fame | 2008 |
8. Jack Ramsay
Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1968–1972), Buffalo Braves (1972–1976), Portland Trail Blazers (1976–1986), Indiana Pacers (1986–1988)
| Games | 1647 |
|---|---|
| Winning Record | 864—783 (.525) |
| NBA Title | 1 (1977) |
| Coach of the Year Award | – |
| All-Star Games | 1 (1978 ) |
| Hall of Fame | 1992 |
7. Don Nelson
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1987), Golden State Warriors (1988–1995, 2006–2010), New York Knicks (1995–1996), Dallas Mavericks (1997–2005)
| Games | 2398 |
|---|---|
| Winning Record | 1335—1063, 794—629 (.558) (.557) |
| NBA Title | – |
| Coach of the Year Award | 3 (1983, 1985, 1992) |
| All-Star Games | 2 ( 1992, 2002 ) |
| Hall of Fame | 2012 |
6. John Kundla
Teams: Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1959)
| Games | 725 |
|---|---|
| Winning Record | 423—302 (.583) |
| NBA Title | 5 ( 1949, 1950, 1952–54 ) |
| Coach of the Year Award | – |
| All-Star Games | 4 ( 1951 – 1954 ) |
| Hall of Fame | 1995 |
5. Phil Jackson
Teams: Chicago Bulls (1989–1998), Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2004, 2005–2011)
| Games | 1640 |
|---|---|
| Winning Record | 1155—485, 414—173 (.705) (.704) |
| NBA Title | 11 ( 1991–93, 1996–98, 2000–02, 2009–10 ) |
| Coach of the Year Award | 1 ( 1996 ) |
| All-Star Games | 4 ( 1992, 1996, 2000, 2009 ) |
| Hall of Fame | 2007 |
4. Red Holzman
Teams: Milwaukee / St. Louis Hawks (1954–1956), New York Knicks (1967–1982)
| Games | 1299 |
|---|---|
| Winning Record | 696—603 (.536) |
| NBA Title | 2 ( 1970, 1973 ) |
| Coach of the Year Award | 1 ( 1970 ) |
| All-Star Games | 2 ( 1970, 1971 ) |
| Hall of Fame | 1986 |
3. Bill Fitch
Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (1970–1979), Boston Celtics (1979–1983), Houston Rockets (1983–1988), New Jersey Nets (1989–1992), Los Angeles Clippers (1994–1998)
| Games | 2050 |
|---|---|
| Winning Record | 944—1106, 891—949 (.482) (.460) |
| NBA Title | 1 ( 1981 ) |
| Coach of the Year Award | 2 ( 1976, 1980 ) |
| All-Star Games | 1 ( 1982 ) |
| Hall of Fame | 2019 |
2. Chuck Daly
Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (1982), Detroit Pistons (1983–1992), New Jersey Nets (1992–1994), Orlando Magic (1997–1999)
| Games | 1075 |
|---|---|
| Winning Record | 638—437, 476—303 (.611) (.593) |
| NBA Title | 2 (1989, 1990) |
| Coach of the Year Award | – |
| All-Star Games | 1 ( 1990 ) |
| Hall of Fame | 1994 |
1. Red Auerbach
Teams: Washington Capitols (1946 – 1949), Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1949/50), Boston Celtics (1950 – 1966)
| Games | 1417 |
|---|---|
| Winning Record | 938—479 (.662) |
| NBA Title | 9 (1957, 1959 – 1966) |
| Coach of the Year Award | 1 (1965) |
| All-Star Games | 11 (1957 – 1967) |
| Hall of Fame | 1969 |
