Doug Christie: Rick Adelman was the ‘Godfather’ of Beautiful Basketball

The Sacramento Kings and the NBA community continue to mourn the loss of Rick Adelman, the Hall of Fame coach who passed away this week at the age of 79.

For former Kings guard and current head coach Doug Christie, Adelman’s impact extends far beyond wins and losses.

Joining Sactown Sports’ The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross, Christie reflected on the coach who helped shape one of the most beloved teams in franchise history and influenced his own vision for the future of the Kings.

“To be able to play for such a man,” Christie said, “what a blessing and an honor.”

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

More on legendary coach Rick Adelman

Rick Adelman coached Sacramento from 1998 to 2006, leading the Kings to eight consecutive playoff appearances and helping create the famed “Greatest Show on Court” era of Sacramento Kings basketball.

While many remember the team’s dazzling offense and near-championship run in 2002, Christie believes Adelman’s greatest strength was his ability to empower players.

“One of the things that Rick was able to do was allow us to be ourselves and still coach us,” Christie said. “A lot of times he listened to us and trusted us.”

That trust helped unite a roster filled with strong personalities and international influences. Christie recalled how Adelman fostered a culture where individual expression never came at the expense of team success.

“His ability to bring us together and make us understand that there are different languages, but there’s only one basketball language,” Christie said. “And you guys all need to speak that same language.”

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Adelman’s calm demeanor also stood out. Whether the Kings were riding a winning streak or suffering a difficult loss, Christie said the coach rarely changed.

“The man was the same,” Christie explained. “He wasn’t getting too high when we were rolling, and he wasn’t getting too low.”

Beyond basketball, Adelman was known for his genuine care for players. Christie shared a story from after he was traded away from Sacramento in 2005, when Adelman unexpectedly called to check on him during a difficult period.

“The fact that in those moments he would take time like that, those are the things that probably mean the most to you,” Christie said.

Now leading the Kings from the sidelines, Christie sees himself as part of Adelman’s coaching tree and hopes to carry forward the principles that made those Sacramento teams special.

“Rick Adelman was, and is, in my opinion, the godfather when it comes to that beautiful style of basketball,” Christie said. “I will do my best to make sure that it resonates the way that it should.”

For Kings fans, Adelman’s legacy will forever be tied to the greatest era in franchise history. For Christie, it remains a blueprint for the future as Sacramento eyes better days in 2026-27.

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.

Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

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.

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’s Kingston Flemings, and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, among others.

Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for pre-draft workout news, player breakdowns, draft rumors and MUCH more.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule

• Tuesday, June 23rd – NBA Draft (Round 1)
• Wednesday, June 24th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Saturday, July 4th – Monday, July 6th – California Classic at Golden 1 Center
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

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