10 best coaches to only lead one NBA team.

10 best coaches to only lead one NBA team.

Even though the majority of NBA coaches work for many clubs, let’s examine the top coaches that manage just one team.

NBA coaches are very important both in the locker room and on the bench. Coaches oversee the execution of the team’s system, which frequently determines the dynamics and culture of the team with the ultimate objective of winning an NBA title, even though they never participate in the games.

It’s undeniable that certain coaches are exclusive to one NBA team, even though some have found success with other teams. Some of these legendary coaches have actually led a team to its heyday during their tenure. Let’s rank the top ten coaches who have only managed one NBA franchise for this article.

10. Brad Stevens

Team: Boston Celtics

Coaching record: 352-282

Awards: All-Star Game head coach

It’s not easy to take over as head coach of a storied team like the Boston Celtics. But there’s no denying that Brad Stevens was unfazed by the challenge. Stevens guided the Celtics to seven consecutive postseason trips, with the exception of his rookie campaign.

During that time, the Celtics also advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals three times. As President of Basketball Operations these days, Stevens still has an influence on the Celtics organization.

9. Richie Guerin

Team: St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks

Coaching record: 327-291

Awards: NBA Coach of the Year, 2x All-Star Game head coach

Richie Guerin rejoined the Hawks as head coach after concluding his playing career there.

Throughout his eight seasons as the Hawks’ coach, he set franchise records for most regular-season games coached, most victories, most games coached in the postseason, and most games won. Guerin guided the Hawks to a 56-26 record, earning him the 1968 NBA Coach of the Year award.

8. Allan Bristow

Team: Charlotte Hornets

Coaching record: 207-203

Awards: N/A

Following a ten-year NBA playing career, Allan Bristow began working as an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs before taking over as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets.

Bristow guided Charlotte to its first 50-win campaign in 1994–95, finishing with a 50–32 record. Bristow also holds the second-best record in Hornets franchise history with 207 wins overall.

7. Billy Cunningham

Team: Philadelphia 76ers

Coaching record: 454-196

Awards: NBA champion, 4x All-Star Game head coach

Billy Cunningham is unquestionably a treasure for Philadelphia. Cunningham participated in three NBA Finals and led the team to an NBA title in 1983 in addition to winning a championship with the team as a player. Furthermore, he has the record for being the Sixers’ most successful coach.

6. Al Attles

Team: San Francisco/Golden State Warriors

Coaching record: 557-518

Awards: NBA champion, 2x All-Star Game head coach

When he became a coach for the Warriors, it was the same story he had throughout his playing career. In addition to having the most coaching victories in Warriors history, Attles held the longest coaching tenure. However, Attles’ coaching career reached its zenith in 1975 when he guided the Warriors to an NBA championship following a sweeping of the Washington Bullets.

5. Erik Spoelstra

Team: Miami Heat

Coaching record: 743-524 (active)

Awards: 2x NBA champion, 2x All-Star Game head coach

From working as a video coordinator to leading the Miami Heat to the second-longest tenure of any head coach in NBA history, Erik Spoelstra has come a long way. Spoelstra won two titles and guided the Miami Heat, powered by the Big Three, to four straight Finals trips.

But even with the Big Three gone, Spoelstra has guided the Heat into the Finals in 2020 and 2023, positioning them as a regular challenger for the championship. Additionally, it appears that Spoelstra will stay on as the Heat’s coach after agreeing to a rich eight-year, $120 million contract.

4. Tom Heinsohn

Team: Boston Celtics

Coaching record: 427-263

Awards: 2x NBA champion, NBA Coach of the Year

As head coach in the 1970s, Tom Heinsohn continued the Celtics’ dynasty after having played for perhaps the most dominant team in basketball history. In 1974 and 1976, he led the Celtics to two NBA championships as their coach.

In 1973, Heinsohn also became the NBA Coach of the Year winner. Undoubtedly, Heinsohn remains a Celtics icon, having won ten NBA titles overall—eight of them when he was a player.

3. Steve Kerr

Team: Golden State Warriors

Coaching record: 510-272 (active)

Awards: 4x NBA champion, NBA Coach of the Year

During his illustrious playing career, Steve Kerr won five NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls. Following that, Kerr took a stab at coaching by taking over as the Golden State Warriors’ primary tactician.

Kerr delivered right away after taking over, starting the Warriors dynasty in the 2010s. Over the course of ten years, he won four championships and guided the team to six NBA Finals appearances. In addition, he won the 2016 NBA Coach of the Year award after guiding the Warriors to an unprecedented 73-9 record in the previous year.

2. John Kundla

Team: Minneapolis Lakers

Coaching record: 423-302

Awards: 5x NBA champion, 4x All-Star Game head coach

Without a doubt, John Kundla plays a significant role in the Lakers’ NBA success. Leading the Lakers to five NBA titles, Kundla is recognized as the mastermind behind the league’s inaugural dynasty. The Lakers are now tied for the most championships won by any NBA team thanks to those five victories.

1. Gregg Popovich

Team: San Antonio Spurs

Coaching record: 1,382-817 (active)

Awards: 5x NBA champion, 3x NBA Coach of the Year, 4x All-Star Game head coach

Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs is the best coach who has only managed one team, and he deserves this title. Popovich has become the Spurs’ all-time winningest coach during the regular season. In addition, he guided the Spurs to five NBA titles in a variety of historical periods.

Even though Popovich has already established himself as a Hall of Fame coach, the three-time Coach of the Year winner still has tremendous things ahead of him. Although the Spurs are suffering through their fifth consecutive losing season, Popovich may not be done just yet, since they drafted Victor Wembanyama, a bright possibility.

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