Adelman serves as career coach

R.J. Adelman was one of the lucky ones.

As the son of a professional athlete and, later, a head coach, he got to see his father often while growing up.

Now he works alongside his dad, Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman.

R.J. Adelman, a Rockets assistant, helps with opponent scouting and player development.

"We've always been very close," R.J. Adelman, 37, said of his relationship with his father. "Working with him is unique on a couple of levels.

"One, his success as a coach. I've learned so much from him -- not just the X's and O's. He's taught me how to deal with people, how to prepare, attention to detail, things like that.

"Two, we've been able to work together as father and son. He always tells me to be myself. No two coaches are the same."

Rick Adelman never tried to discourage his son from getting into such a cutthroat profession. But deep down, he was hoping R.J. would stick with his budding career as a lawyer.

"I thought he was going to do something totally different," Rick Adelman said. "But he decided he wanted to be in basketball, and we had an opportunity to bring him with us to Houston so he could see what it's like.

"We talked about that. But he wanted to try it. It's one of those things. You can't live their lives for them. They have to make their own decisions. I'm not going to be doing this forever, so he's going to have to go his own way."

What better place to learn than at the side of someone who has won more than 900 games as an NBA coach?

The Rockets finished 3-2 in the NBA Summer League this week, and R.J. Adelman had a chance to coach the team as the head man. He and fellow assistants Elston Turner, Jack Sikma and T.R. Dunn rotated that assignment this week in Las Vegas.

"Anytime you can get that kind of experience, it's going to help you," R.J. Adelman said. "But just being on the bench with the other assistant coaches, seeing how they do things, that helps me a lot."

Adelman ditched his law practice in Oregon to join the Rockets' staff.

"I missed basketball," he said. "I'd been around the game my whole life, and I figured I'd rather be on the court than in court."

Rick Adelman supported the move, believing his son has the basketball acumen to make coaching work.

"He always knew the game well," said Rick Adelman, 63. "He was smart. He was always around the game. I always thought he had a chance to be a coach. It has been fortunate I've been able to bring him along the last three years and let him get a feel for it."

As the Adelmans prepare for their fourth season in Houston, R.J. said the important thing is that he continue to learn and take advantage of the situation he's in.

"Not everyone gets that kind of opportunity," he said. "Whether I coach in the NBA or in junior college, I feel so blessed to be in the position I'm in."

As for seeing his son follow in his footsteps and one day coach his own NBA team, Rick Adelman said: "I never take it that far. You never know what's going to happen. I never thought I was going to be an NBA head coach. I got a couple breaks.

"I just want him to be good at what he does now, and if he works hard and learns, maybe he'll get a chance. I just want him to enjoy himself. The best advice I've tried to give him is that if you get an opportunity, you have to be ready to take advantage of it."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.