{"id":345178,"date":"2026-06-03T18:44:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T18:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/345178\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T18:44:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T18:44:09","slug":"brad-miller-shares-emotional-tribute-to-rick-adelman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/345178\/","title":{"rendered":"Brad Miller shares emotional tribute to Rick Adelman"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"28\" data-end=\"670\">Former Sacramento Kings center Brad Miller reflected on the passing of longtime head coach Rick Adelman, who died this week at 79, sharing emotional memories of the Hall of Fame coach who led Sacramento\u2019s iconic \u201cGreatest Show on Court\u201d era.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"28\" data-end=\"670\">Rick Adelman coached the Kings from 1998\u20132006, guiding them to eight consecutive playoff appearances and compiling a 395\u2013229 record.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"28\" data-end=\"670\">Miller, who played in Sacramento from 2003-2006 and earned an All-Star selection in 2003 under Adelman\u2019s system, said the coach\u2019s influence extended far beyond basketball success, shaping his confidence, versatility, and identity as a player.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"672\" data-end=\"1074\">During an interview with Sactown Sports\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/sactownsports.com\/shows\/the-carmichael-dave-show-with-jason-ross\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross<\/a>, Miller recalled first encountering Adelman while still with the Indiana Pacers at the NBA All-Star Game.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"672\" data-end=\"1074\">\u201cHe was just like such a chill coach. Him and all the assistants, I was like, dang, these guys are all pretty cool,\u201d he said. \u201cThe first two minutes of practice, I wish I had been around this guy and this system a lot longer,\u201d Miller added, noting how different the Kings\u2019 environment felt.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-63714\" class=\" wp-image-63714\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780512249_2_GettyImages-2909104-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 19: Head coach Rick Adelman of the Sacramento Kings gives directions from the sideline during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on January 19, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings won 125-100 . NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and\/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld\/Getty Images)\" width=\"740\" height=\"496\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-63714\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>More on Rick Adelman<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1076\" data-end=\"1538\">Once inside the Kings\u2019 system, Miller said Rick Adelman made him feel immediately valued.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1076\" data-end=\"1538\">\u201cHe welcomed me like I was part of the family from day one,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople look at the way my game expanded when I got here, it\u2019s because he believed in me, his system, his style was like a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1076\" data-end=\"1538\">Miller credited Adelman with unlocking parts of his game that other coaches never fully trusted, allowing him to operate as a playmaking big man in a free-flowing offense.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1540\" data-end=\"1954\">Beyond tactics, Miller emphasized Rick Adelman\u2019s ability to build accountability without overbearing control.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1540\" data-end=\"1954\">\u201cHe trusted his players out there. He wasn\u2019t an over-micromanager,\u201d Miller said. \u201cWhen you can feel that as a player, you hold yourself accountable more.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1540\" data-end=\"1954\">He also noted how Rick Adelman\u2019s culture of trust pushed the team to a higher standard, with players driven by a shared desire to win rather than fear of mistakes.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-63694\" class=\" wp-image-63694\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2751088-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"PORTLAND - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Rick Adelman of the Sacramento Kings talks to his point guard Mike Bibby #10 during a break in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden on November 13, 2003 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won in overtime 112-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and\/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)\" width=\"770\" height=\"516\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-63694\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1956\" data-end=\"2339\">Miller also reflected on Adelman\u2019s subtle humor away from the spotlight.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1956\" data-end=\"2339\">\u201cHe was like a one-line king,\u201d he said. \u201cHe could just be walking by while you were stretching or getting on the bus and just hit you with something.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2341\" data-end=\"2729\">Miller closed by acknowledging Rick Adelman\u2019s broader legacy across the league.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2341\" data-end=\"2729\">\u201cHe didn\u2019t win a championship, but he did a lot of great things in this league for a lot of players,\u201d Miller said. \u201cRest in peace to the legend, coach,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2210\" data-end=\"2374\">Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@SactownSports1140\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Sactown Sports YouTube channel.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Listen to\u00a0The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross\u00a0from 6 \u2013 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/sactownsports.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sactown Sports 1140.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n<p>What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?<\/p>\n<p>The Sacramento Kings are preparing for a crucial 2026 NBA Draft, which is set to take place from Tuesday, June 23rd, through Wednesday, June 24th.<\/p>\n<p>Sacramento owns the 7th pick in the Draft, giving them a chance at selecting a talented player with upside, such as Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., Houston\u2019s Kingston Flemings, and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, among others.<\/p>\n<p>Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for pre-draft workout news, player breakdowns, draft rumors and MUCH more.<\/p>\n<p>Upcoming Sacramento Kings &amp; NBA Offseason Schedule<\/p>\n<p>Tuesday, June 23rd\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 1)<br \/>\nWednesday, June 24th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Draft (Round 2)<br \/>\nTuesday, June 30th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)<br \/>\nSaturday, July 4th \u2013 Monday, July 6th \u2013 California Classic at Golden 1 Center<br \/>\nThursday, July 9th\u00a0\u2013 NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins<br \/>\nMonday, July 13th\u00a0\u2013 Free Agency moratorium ends \/ signings can become official<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Thank you for reading\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/sactownsports.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Sactown1140\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMMGengsw2Ki2Aw?hl=en-US&amp;gl=US&amp;ceid=US:en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/SactownSports1140\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n<p>                    <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Former Sacramento Kings center Brad Miller reflected on the passing of longtime head coach Rick Adelman, who died&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":345179,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[121,123,122],"class_list":["post-345178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sacramento","tag-sacramento","tag-sacramento-headlines","tag-sacramento-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345178","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=345178"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345178\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/345179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=345178"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=345178"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=345178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}