The NBA's Top 10 Coaches Heading into 2008-09

If nothing else, this list should spur some debate. I looked at career winning percentage, career accomplishments, recent success, the ability to win the title, and how well the coach is respected among his peers.

1. Phil Jackson, Los Angles Lakers, .700 Career Winning Percentage, 9 NBA Titles

"The Zen Master" was at it again last season, returning to the NBA Finals for the 11th time is his 17-year career as a head coach. Jackson has made the playoffs in all 17 of those years. Although he has had great players on his teams, some of their greatness is to be attributed to his coaching and triangle offense. Until he retires, Jackson will be considered the premier coach in the NBA.

2. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs, .677 Career Winning Percentage, 4 NBA Titles

People forget that Pop was criticized in the late '90s as GM for the Spurs, when he fired Bob Hill and named himself heir to the throne. By the 1998-99 season, all critics were quieted when Popovich lead the Spurs to their first of four championships in the past decade. He has brought out the lighter side of Duncan, as seen in clips, but is usually seen barking like a pit bull on the court. Will the Spurs continue their streak of titles every other year?

3. Jerry Sloan, Utah Jazz, .624 Career Winning Percentage

A title may forever elude Sloan, but he may go down as the best coach to never wear a ring. Sloan's stone face masks a fiery competitor who demands excellence of his team. In 22 full seasons as a head coach, Sloan has only missed the playoffs four times. He preaches defense and teamwork, the two things he was known for as an NBA All-Star, and First Team NBA All-Defensive player.


4. Doc Rivers, Boston Celtics, .508 Career Winning Percentage, 1 NBA Title

Nobody was happier than Doc Rivers when Danny Ainge made the moves that united "the Boston Three Party." The 2008-09 season was his second winning campaign in Boston, but Rivers had four consecutive winning seasons in Orlando before being fired.

In last years playoffs, Rivers gave a tutorial on how to effectively use your bench, which was one of the pivotal plays in defeating the Lakers. Rivers has an excellent feel for the game and does a great job of motivating players. If he chooses to, Rivers could be a successful coach for the next 20 years.

5. Stan Van Gundy, Orlando Magic, .614 Career Winning Percentage

In three full seasons as a head coach, SVG has made it past the first round of the playoffs every time. Van Gundy resigned from the Miami Heat in the 2005-06 season with a record of 11-10, as the Heat were on their way to the NBA Title. Van Gundy still has a lot of coaching to do before he is solidified as one of the best ever, but, if he sticks with Dwight Howard in Orlando, the sun will continue to shine on his young career.


6. Rick Adelman, Houston Rockets, .614 Career Winning Percentage

With the exception of two condemned years in Golden State, Adelman has made the NBA Playoffs in all of his 17 seasons. Early in his career, he led the Trail Blazers to two NBA Finals appearances and won the Pacific Division twice. Adelman also captured two division crowns in Sacramento, but could never take the Kings to the Finals out of the wild West.

Despite losing T-Mac and Yao to injury in his first season with Houston, Adelman won 55 games with the Rockets. Brent Barry and Ron Artest should be welcomed additions to his lineup.


7. Don Nelson, Golden State Warriors, .573 Career Winning Percentage

Don Nelson has never avoided a challenge as an NBA head coach, and he is one of the most respected individuals to ever coach the game. He was a five-time champion with the Boston Celtics and was named to the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History list. Nelson has won Coach of the Year three times in his career.

He has coached, won, and lost more games than any other active coach. His most recent success was schooling former assistant Avery Johnson and the Dallas Mavericks in the 2007 NBA Playoffs as a No. 8 seed.


8. George Karl, Denver Nuggets, .589 Career Winning Percentage

Denver is the fifth coaching stop for Karl, who has failed to capture a ring in his career. Karl preaches in-your-face defense and has only missed the playoffs in one full season of coaching. He has won a division crown with the Sonics, Bucks, and Nuggets, and led Seattle to the Finals in 1996. He has battled health problems of late, but has minimized the effects on his team. Will George attain a title before his son Coby does? Doubtful, but I expect Coby to follow his father's footsteps into the coaching realm.


9. Mike D'Antoni, New York Knicks, .608 Career Winning Percentage

D'Antoni had a slow start to his NBA coaching career but has ironed out his high octane offense and will now bring it to the Knickerbockers. Mike D. will make $24 million over the next four years in New York, and this will be the true test to see if the Suns' winning ways were a product of the system or a product of great players.

D'Antoni is not walking into an ideal situation, but he seems to enjoy challenges and dealing with the media in his own way. If he is successful in New York, he will climb above the old vets on the list, but his record is not flawless.


10A. Larry Brown, Charlotte Bobcats, .577 Career Winning Percentage, 1 NBA Title

Larry Brown is second to Don Nelson in games, wins, and losses among active coaches, but he has won a championship. He is the only head coach to win a title in the NBA and NCAA ranks but is now helping the Bobcats develop their franchise. Brown led AI and a cast of nobodies to the NBA Finals in Philadelphia and has posted a winning record with everyone he has coached but the Knicks. Can he turn the page in Charlotte?

10B. Rick Carlisle, Dallas Mavericks, .571 Career Winning Percentage

Carlisle preceded Brown in Detroit and may have been on his way to a title had he not been fired. Last season in Indiana was the first time in six years that he finished below .500 and did not make the playoffs. In Dallas, Carlisle will undoubtedly make the playoffs and, if he can help the Mavs improve their D and properly integrate Jason Kidd, he could be in for a lot more.


Next Best Coaches

Byron Scott, New Orleans Hornets, .487 Career Winning Percentage

Mike Brown, Cleveland Cavilers, .589 Career Winning Percentage

Mo Cheeks, Philadelphia 76ers, .503 Career Winning Percentage

Sam Mitchell, Toronto Raptors, .451 Career Winning Percentage

Nate McMillan, Portland Trail Blazers, .477 Career Winning Percentage

Jim O'Brien, Indian Pacers, .517 Career Winning Percentage