We can name more than 300+ coaches who have survived as head coaches in NBA history. A few are very popular while others have lasted only for a short duration. However, in this blog, we will discuss the greatest basketball coaches we have known. Are you ready to know the greatest NBA coaches of all time?
Who is the Greatest Coach of All Time in the NBA?
Here’s the much-awaited top 5 NBA coaches of all time you want to know.
Phil Jackson
Which NBA Coach Has the Most Championships?
- A. Phil Jackson
- B. Rudy Tomjanovich
- C. Red Holzman
- D. John Kundla
Jackson is one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time. Jackson retired with 11 championships as a coach. He has coached enormous talented players, and he also earned ultimate respect from his players and his fans. He also has an amazing record of 980-418 in his 18 years of career. Jackson also won the NBA Coach of the Year award in the 1995-1996 season. And finally, he received the Hall of Fame in the year 2007 for being one of the legendary NBA head coaches.
Red Auerbach
Like Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach was also one of the best coaches in NBA history. He was the man of the Boston Celtics for over 30 years. During his career as a coach, he led the team Celtics to an amazing nine championships. He had a record of 823-426 and a .659 winning percentage. He also won NBA Coach of the Year in 1965 and was honored into the Hall of Fame in 1969 as the greatest NBA coach of all time.
Gregg Popovich
He has been one in the NBA over the last 10 seasons. During his 13-year career, he has led the team Antonio Spurs to four championships and 633 wins. He also won the NBA Coach of the Year award in the year 2002-2003 and has had 11 consecutive seasons, and his winning percentage is .646. He still has not made it to the Hall of Fame, but he is well deserving of being at the top of the list of Hall of Fame NBA coaches
Pat Riley
He was the head coach of the Showtime Lakers in the ’80s. During his 24 years of coaching career for the team Lakers, knicks, and Heat won five championships. He also has a 1210-694 record, and his winning percentage is .636. Riley ranked second in playoff wins with 171.
Larry Brown
He is one of the best coaches ever in the NBA as he got out the worst teams. During his 25-year career as a head coach of the NBA, he set a record of 1240-910 and a winning percentage of .577. Brown is the only coach to lead the college and NBA team to a championship. He also won the Coach of the Year award in the 2000-2001 season and entered the Hall of Fame in 2002.
Who was a Better Coach: Pat Riley or Phil Jackson?
The debate over who was the superior coach between Pat Riley and Phil Jackson remains a topic of discussion. Both are known for their distinct coaching styles and championships, sparking debates among basketball enthusiasts. Riley’s leadership with the Lakers and Heat is contrasted with Jackson’s success coaching the Bulls and Lakers, leaving fans divided on their preferences for the better coach.
Having said that, let’s have a look at the NBA coaching legends of 2023.
Best Coach in NBA 2023
The best coach in the NBA for 2023 is a difficult question to answer, as there are many great coaches in the league. However, some of the top contenders include
Mike Brown (Sacramento Kings):
Brown led the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 17 years in 2023. Known for his defensive prowess and his knack for extracting the best from his players, he showcases exceptional abilities in the basketball arena.
Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat):
Spoelstra has led the Heat to six NBA Finals appearances and two championships in his 14-year career as head coach. He is a master of in-game adjustments and known for his ability to build a strong team culture.
Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors):
He has won four championships in eight years as head coach of the Warriors, making it one of the best NBA teams of all time.He is an offensive mastermind and is known for his ability to get the best out of his star players.
Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs):
He is the all-time leader in NBA coaching wins. He has led the Spurs to five championships and known for his demanding coaching style and his ability to develop young players
Monty Williams (Phoenix Suns):
Williams led the Suns to the NBA Finals in 2021 and is known for his player-friendly coaching style and his ability to build a strong team culture.
Ultimately, the best coach in the NBA is a matter of opinion. However, the five coaches listed above are all among the best in the league and are all worthy of consideration for the best coaches in the NBA 2023.