Brad Miller shares an emotional tribute to former Kings head coach Rick Adelman

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’s iconic “Greatest Show on Court” era.

Rick Adelman coached the Kings from 1998–2006, guiding them to eight consecutive playoff appearances and compiling a 395–229 record.

Miller, who played in Sacramento from 2003-2006 and earned an All-Star selection in 2003 under Adelman’s system, said the coach’s influence extended far beyond basketball success, shaping his confidence, versatility, and identity as a player.

During an interview with Sactown Sports’ The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross, Miller recalled first encountering Adelman while still with the Indiana Pacers at the NBA All-Star Game.

“He was just like such a chill coach. Him and all the assistants, I was like, dang, these guys are all pretty cool,” he said. “The first two minutes of practice, I wish I had been around this guy and this system a lot longer,” Miller added, noting how different the Kings’ environment felt.

(Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

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Once inside the Kings’ system, Miller said Rick Adelman made him feel immediately valued.

“He welcomed me like I was part of the family from day one,” he said. “People look at the way my game expanded when I got here, it’s because he believed in me, his system, his style was like a dream come true.”

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.

Beyond tactics, Miller emphasized Rick Adelman’s ability to build accountability without overbearing control.

“He trusted his players out there. He wasn’t an over-micromanager,” Miller said. “When you can feel that as a player, you hold yourself accountable more.”

He also noted how Rick Adelman’s culture of trust pushed the team to a higher standard, with players driven by a shared desire to win rather than fear of mistakes.

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Miller also reflected on Adelman’s subtle humor away from the spotlight.

“He was like a one-line king,” he said. “He could just be walking by while you were stretching or getting on the bus and just hit you with something.”

Miller closed by acknowledging Rick Adelman’s broader legacy across the league.

“He didn’t win a championship, but he did a lot of great things in this league for a lot of players,” Miller said. “Rest in peace to the legend, coach,” he added.

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.

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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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