Many coaches come and go to the National Basketball Association, but some stay for much longer than others. There are many who believe that these coaches were not only talented but also among the best of all time. Let’s take a look throughout history to find out which ones made it into such an elite group.
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List Of Top 7 best NBA Coaches Of All The Time:
1. Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson is the greatest coach of all time. He made a name for himself by using his signature triangle offense to lead both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant on their way to 8 championships in total. But don’t think that this success was only because he had two talented players at different times, as there have been many other great players who never even won one championship!
He is a fantastic coach and he was always questionable in his front office abilities.
2. Greg Popovich
Greg Popovich, who has coached the Spurs since the mid-1990s and has been a respected figure in NBA for years because he wins every single game with any lineup on any given night. He is also an award winner: 5 championships – multiple time coach of The Year Award Winner as well as one to draft players that are incredible talents. His talent development skills have led towards him being considered among all-time great coaches due to his ability at getting players playing their best at all times!
It may have been Phil Jackson who held the title of the greatest coach of all time if he had won more than five championships.
3. Red Auerbach
Red Auerbach is an ultimate innovator and a major influence in the development of the game. He changed the game with his fast-break offense, putting an emphasis on team play and defense. Winning nine championships in ten seasons was Red’s pinnacle of success as Boston Celtics coach/executive which made him one of basketball’s most successful coaches ever by winning more than 60% percent of games played when coaching during this time frame (1949 – 1966).
4. Pat Riley
Pat Riley was one of the first to start a dynasty in the 1980s with his “Showtime Lakers.” However, he last won an NBA championship until 2006 when he coached Wade and Miami Heat.
By winning his very last title as a coach for the Laker’s 1988 run they became known as on top during that decade. He remained consistent throughout being able to win championships from 1983-1988 but not again until 2006 which is what makes him such a legendary coach.
5. Chuck Daly
Chuck Daly is a hard-nosed coach and the fifth-best of all time. He coached one of the most famous teams in NBA history, which was comprised mostly of “bad boys” – players like Isaiah Thomas and Joe Dumars who won back-to-back championships for him with their tough demeanor on the court.
Off it though, Chuck made sure that his team stayed as disciplined as possible. He preferred they play strong defense over flashy offense any day because ultimately what mattered more than anything else were those two rings resting at home after each season ended.
6. John Kundla
After years of coaching in the minor leagues, Kundla was named head coach for Minneapolis Lakers and achieved his career’s peak. He guided them to four NBA titles over 12 seasons with this franchise before moving on to take up a new position as coach at Minnesota when they relocated from Los Angeles.
In 1959 he coached their then-nemesis team and led these players through some rough patches until retiring after 14 seasons that same year. This man is an icon who has earned himself a spot among history’s best coaches due not only because of what he did for one club but also how well-respected contemporaries like Red Auerbach were able to recognize him as such early on during his playing days.
7. Don Nelson
To this day, Rick Nelson remains one of the most successful coaches in NBA history. He has won more games than any other coach with his 1,335 victories and he’s taken many teams to success that were previously struggling.
One of the greatest moments for Coach Nelson came when he was coaching 8th seeded Golden State Warriors who went on a huge upset against first seed Dallas Mavericks it is still considered one of the sports biggest upsets ever.
