NBA

    NBA Power Rankings: The 50 Worst Coaches in NBA History

    Jack WinterCorrespondent INovember 18, 2010

    NBA Power Rankings: The 50 Worst Coaches in NBA History

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      15 Dec 2000: Head Coach Sydney Lowe of the Vancouver Grizzlies looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 92-90. NOTE TO USER: It is
      Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

      Red Auerbach, Phil Jackson, Chuck Daly and Pat Riley. These are four names you won't find on Bleacher Report's list of the 50 worst coaches in NBA history.

      Several factors went into compiling this esteemed ranking of coaches, though one trumped all. As they say, you are what your record says you are.

      No sympathy was given to head men of perpetually losing franchises like the Clippers and Grizzlies. The best coaches get the most out of their talent, no matter how much it's lacking.

      On this list are Hall of Fame players, star college coaches and three coaches currently employed in the NBA.

      It goes to show that success as a player doesn't translate to the clipboard, wins are easier for some to come by in the NCAA and that some franchises are just as inept today as they were since the league's inception.

      Following is a power ranking of the 50 worst coaches in the history of the NBA.

    No. 50: John Calipari

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      26 Apr 1998: New Jersey Nets head coach John Calipari looks on during a First Round Playoff Game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Nets 96-91.
      Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

      Career Record: 72-122, .396 WP

      Teams: New Jersey Nets 1996-1999

      Note: Calipari, despite his NBA record, is one of the most successful—and controversial—college coaches in history. He is the current head man at the University of Kentucky.

    No. 49: Willis Reed

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      LOS ANGELES - 1988: Head Coach Willis Reed of the New Jersey Nets calls a play during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1988. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by
      Mike Powell/Getty Images

      Career Record: 82-124, .398 WP

      Teams: New York Knicks 1977-1979 and New Jersey Nets 1987-1989

    No. 48: Wes Unseld

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      7 Feb 1995: Wes Unseld former NBA Great looks on during a game against Maryland Terrapins and UNC Tar Heels. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
      Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

      Career Record: 202-345, .369 WP

      Teams: Washington Bullets 1987-1994

    No. 47: Dick Vitale

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      Career Record: 34-60, .362 WP

      Teams: Detroit Pistons 1978-1980

    No. 46: Garry St. Jean

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      Career Record: 172-278, .382 WP

      Teams: Sacramento Kings 1992-1997 and Golden State Warriors 1999-2000

    No. 45: Tom Sanders

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      Career Record: 23-39, .371 WP

      Teams: Boston Celtics 1977-1979

    No. 44: Scotty Robertson

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      Career Record: 109-178, .380 WP

      Teams: New Orleans Jazz 1974-1975, Chicago Bulls 1978-1979 and Detroit Pistons 1980-1983

    No. 43: Jack McKinney

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      Career Record: 136-215, .387 WP

      Teams: Los Angeles Lakers 1979-1980, Indiana Pacers 1980-1984 and Kansas City Kings 1984-1985

    No. 42: Elgin Baylor

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      INGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain sit on the court during Earvin 'Magic' Johnson's retirement ceremony from the Los Angeles Lakers on February 16, 1992 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood,
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      Career Record: 86-135, .389 WP

      Teams: New Orleans Jazz 1974-1979

      Note: Baylor was almost as bad in the front office as he was on the bench. As Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Clippers from 1986-2008, LA's other team won just a single playoff series.

    No. 41: Johnny Bach

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      Career Record: 95-172, .356 WP

      Teams: Golden State Warriors 1979-1980 and 1983-1986

    No. 40: Lon Kruger

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      10 Oct 2000: Head Coach Lon Kruger of the Atlanta Hawks watches the action during the pre-season game against the Orlando Magic at the TD Waterhouse Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Hawks 105-83. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understoo
      Andy Lyons/Getty Images

      Career Record: 69-122, .361 WP

      Teams: Atlanta Hawks 2000-2003

    No. 39: Richie Adubato

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      Career Record: 127-240, .346 WP

      Teams: Detroit Pistons 1979-1980, Dallas Mavericks 1990-1993 and Orlando Magic 1996-1997

    No. 38: Johnny Davis

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      MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Head coach Johnny Davis of the Orlando Magic reacts to his team's game against the Miami Heat on December 19, 2004 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downl
      Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

      Career Record: 73-146, .333 WP

      Teams: Philadelphia 76ers 1996-1997, Orlando Magic 2003-2005 and Memphis Grizzlies 2008-2009

    No. 37: Darrell Walker

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      9 Aug 2000: Coach Darrell Walker of the Washington Mystics looks on during the game against the Cleveland Rockers at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The Mystics defeated the Rockers 60-48. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only right
      Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

      Career Record: 56-113, .331 WP

      Teams: Toronto Raptors 1996-1998 and Washington Wizards 1999-2000

    No. 36: Dave DeBusschere

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      Career Record: 79-143, .356 WP

      Teams: Detroit Pistons 1964-1967

    No. 35: Jerry Reynolds

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      Career Record: 56-114, .329 WP

      Teams: Sacramento Kings 1986-1990

    No. 34: Slater Martin

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      Career Record: 37-61, .378 WP

      Teams: St. Louis Spirits 1956-1957 and Houston Mavericks 1967-1969

    No. 33: Bob MacKinnon

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      Career Record: 57-120, .322 WP

      Teams: St. Louis Spirits 1974-1975, Buffalo Braves 1976-1977 and New Jersey Nets 1980-1981 and 1987-1988

    No. 32: Frank Hamblen

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      LOS ANGELES - JUNE 4: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers signals triangle defense as assistant coach Frank Hamblen looks on during Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on June 4, 2000
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      Career Record: 33-71, .317 WP

      Teams: Milwaukee Bucks 1991-1992 and Los Angeles Lakers 2004-2005

    No. 31: Randy Wittman

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      INDIANAPOLIS - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Randy Wittman of the Minnesota Timberwolves on the sidelines against the Indiana Pacers October 19, 2007 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
      Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

      Career Record: 100-207, .326 WP

      Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers 1999-2001 and Minnesota Timberwolves 2006-2009

    No. 30: Larry Krystkowiak

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      MILWAUKEE - APRIL 08: Head coach Larry Krystkowiak of the Milwaukee Bucksgives instructions to his team against of the Boston Celtics on April 8, 2008 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Celktics defeated the Bucks 107-104 in overtime. NOTE
      Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

      Career Record: 31-69, .310 WP

      Teams: Milwaukee Bucks 2006-2008

    No. 29: Johnny "Red" Kerr

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      Career Record: 93-190, .329 WP

      Teams: Chicago Bulls 1966-1968 and Phoenix Suns 1968-1970

    No. 28: George Irvine

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      9 Dec 2000: Head Coach George Irvine of the Detroit Pistons stands on the sidelines during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at The Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The Trailblazers defeated the Pistons 114-83. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly un
      Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

      Career Record: 100-190, .345 WP

      Teams: Indiana Pacers 1984-1986 and 1988-1989, Detroit Pistons 1999-2001

    No. 27: Bill Cartwright

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      CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 7: Head coach Bill Cartwright of the Chicago Bulls yells instructions to his team during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers November 7, 2003 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 106-85. NOTE TO USE
      Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

      Career Record: 51-100, .338 WP

      Teams: Chicago Bulls 2001-2004

    No. 26: Rolland Todd

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      Career Record: 41-97, .297 WP

      Teams: Portland Trail Blazers 1970-1972

    No. 25: Ron Rothstein

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      30 Jul 2000: Coach Ron Rothstein of the Miami Sol watches from the bench during the game against the Seattle Storm at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Sol defeated the Storm 64-51. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights
      Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

      Career Record: 97-231, .296 WP

      Teams: Miami Heat 1988-1991 and Detroit Pistons 1992-1993

    No. 24: Brendan Malone

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      CHICAGO - MARCH 31: Head coach Brendan Malone of the Cleveland Cavaliers yells during the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 31, 2005 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 102-90 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User
      Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

      Career Record: 29-71, .290 WP

      Teams: Toronto Raptors 1995-1996 and Cleveland Cavaliers 2004-2005

    No. 23: John Kuester

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      LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 17: Detroit Pistons head coach John Kuester calls out a play against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Pistons 106-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressl
      Jeff Gross/Getty Images

      Career Record: 29-61, .322 WP

      Teams: Detroit Pistons 2009-Present

      Note: Kuester's fortunes likely won't improve as the season wears on. Detroit has one of the most dumbfounding rosters in the league this season. They have multiple combo guards on the roster but no true PG, and several power forwards but no true C.

      GM Joe Dumars hasn't done Kuester any favors, but there are some coaches who could make a team of that jumbled mess.

    No. 22: Eddie Donovan

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      Career Record: 84-194, .302 WP

      Teams: New York Knicks 1961-1965

    No. 21: Jack McCloskey

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      Career Record: 48-116, .293 WP

      Teams: Portland Trail Blazers 1972-1974

    No. 20: M.L. Carr

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      31 Jan 1996: M.L. Carr of the Boston Celtics kneels on the sidelines during a game against the Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Celtics 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport
      Getty Images/Getty Images

      Career Record: 48-116, .293 WP

      Teams: Boston Celtics 1995-1997

    No. 19: Fred Carter

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      Career Record: 32-76, .296 WP

      Teams: Philadelphia 76ers 1992-1994

    No. 18: Earl Lloyd

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      Career Record: 22-55, .286 WP

      Teams: Detroit Pistons 1971-1973

      Note: League's first black head coach.

    No. 17: Bill Musselman

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      Career Record: 85-210, .288 WP

      Teams: San Diego Sails 1975-1976, Virginia Squires 1975-1976, Cleveland Cavaliers 1980-1982 and Minnesota Timberwolves 1989-1991

    No. 16: Gene Littles

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      Career Record: 44-111, .284 WP

      Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers 1985-1986, Chicago Bulls 1989-1991 and Denver Nuggets 1994-1995

    No. 15: Jim Cleamons

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      2 Dec 1996: Dallas Mavericks head coach Jim Cleamons looks on during a game against the Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Mavericks won the game, 108-102.
      Andy Lyons/Getty Images

      Career Record: 28-70, .286 WP

      Teams: Dallas Mavericks 1996-1998

    No. 14: Marc Iavaroni

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      MILWAUKEE - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Marc Iavaroni of the Memphis Grizzlies watches the action against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 14, 2007 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks won 102-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges
      Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

      Career Record: 33-90, .268 WP

      Teams: Memphis Grizzlies 2007-2009

    No. 13: Andrew Levane

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      Career Record: 106-170, .284 WP

      Teams: Milwaukee Hawks 1952-1954, New York Knicks 1958-1960 and St. Louis Hawks 1961-1962

    No. 12: Bruce Hale

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      Career Record: 26-69, .274 WP

      Teams: Indianapolis Jets 1948-1949 and Oakland Oaks 1967-1968

    No. 11: Bill Blair

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      Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Bill Blair looks on during a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
      Simon Bruty/Getty Images

      Career Record: 29-79, .269 WP

      Teams: New Jersey Nets 1982-1983 and Minnesota Timberwolves 1994-1996

    No. 10: Tim Floyd

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      4 Dec 2001: Head coach Tim Floyd of the Chicago Bulls stands on the sideline during the NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls crushed the Rockets 103-75.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
      Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

      Career Record: 90-231, .280 WP

      Teams: Chicago Bulls 1998-2002 and New Orleans Hornets 2003-2004

      Note: Floyd was dealt a tough hand when he took over the Bulls as the post-Michael Jordan era began. Still, he couldn't get anything out of the Baby Bulls.

    No. 9: Kurt Rambis

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      PHOENIX - MARCH 16: Head coach Kurt Rambis of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on March 16, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 152-114. NOTE TO USER: User expre
      Christian Petersen/Getty Images

      Career Record: 40-87, .196 WP

      Teams: Los Angeles Lakers 1998-1999, Minnesota Timberwolves 2009-Present

      Note: The primary reason Rambis is so high on this list is because of his refusal to play PF Kevin Love starter's minutes early in the 2010-2011 season.

      In the first game Love played that he was on the floor for more than 31 minutes, he posted 23 points and 24 rebounds. Two games later (and after logging 28 minutes in the game previous), he put up the now legendary stat line of 31 points and 31 rebounds.

      Given his recent dominance, it appears not even the stupidity of Rambis will be enough to keep Love on the bench.

    No. 8: Johnny McCarthy

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      Career Record: 22-59, .272 WP

      Teams: Buffalo Braves 1971-1972

    No. 7: Gar Heard

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      LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 8: Assitant coach Garfield Heard of the Detroit Pistons yells on the sidelines during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on November 8, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. Pistons head coach Larry Brown is o
      Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

      Career Record: 23-74, .237 WP

      Teams: Dallas Mavericks 1992-1993 and Washington Wizards 1999-2000

    No. 6: Leonard Hamilton

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      1 Nov 2000: Head Coach Leonard Hamilton of the Washington Wizards watches the action on the court during the game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Wizards defeated the Hornets 95-77. NOTE TO USER:
      Craig Jones/Getty Images

      Career Record: 19-63, .232 WP

      Teams: Washington Wizards 2000-2001

      Note: Hamilton has found much greater success at the collegiate level, as over the years he's established Florida State as one of the better teams in the ACC.

    No. 5: Jim Todd

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      Career Record: 4-33, .108 WP

      Teams: Los Angeles Clippers 1999-2000

    No. 4: Dick Harter

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      CHARLOTTE, NC - 1989: Head coach Dick Harter of the Charlotte Hornets stands on the sideline during an NBA game at Charlotte Colesium in 1989. (Photo by Tim Defrisco/Getty Images)
      Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images

      Career Record: 28-94, .230 WP

      Teams: Chicago Bulls 1988-1990

    No 3: Brian Winters

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      26 Nov 1996: Head coach Brian Winters of the Vancouver Grizzlies looks on during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hawks won the game 101-80.
      Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

      Career Record: 36-148, .196 WP

      Teams: Vancouver Grizzlies 1995-1997 and Golden State Warriors 2001-2002

    No. 2: Bill Hanzlik

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      Career Record: 11-71, .134 WP

      Teams: Denver Nuggets 1997-1998

      Note: Hanzlik led the Nuggets to the third worst regular season in the history of the league in 1998, his only season as a head coach.

    No. 1: Sidney Lowe

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      15 Dec 2000: Head Coach Sydney Lowe of the Vancouver Grizzlies tosses a basketball on the sidelines during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 92-90. NOTE TO US
      Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

      Career Record: 79-228, .257 WP

      Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves 1992-1994 and Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies 2000-2003

      Note: Lowe is the current head coach at North Carolina State and hasn't fared much better in the college ranks. In four seasons, he's yet to lead the Wolfpack to a NCAA Tournament bid.

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