Monday, August 10, 2026

A02123 - Don Nelson, Five-Time NBA Champion and Record Setting NBA Coach

 8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Nelson smiling, wearing a suit
Nelson in 2012
Personal information
BornMay 15, 1940
Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.
DiedAugust 9, 2026 (aged 86)
Frisco, Texas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High schoolRock Island
(Rock Island, Illinois)
CollegeIowa (1959–1962)
NBA draft1962: 3rd round, 17th overall pick
Drafted byChicago Zephyrs
Playing career1962–1976
PositionSmall forward
Number44, 20, 19
Coaching career1976–2010
Career history
Playing
1962–1963Chicago Zephyrs
1963–1965Los Angeles Lakers
1965–1976Boston Celtics
Coaching
1976Milwaukee Bucks (assistant)
1976–1988Milwaukee Bucks
1988–1995Golden State Warriors
1995–1996New York Knicks
1997–2005Dallas Mavericks
2006–2010Golden State Warriors
Career highlights
As player:

As coach:

Career playing statistics
Points10,898 (10.3 ppg)
Rebounds5,192 (4.9 rpg)
Assists1,526 (1.4 apg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Career coaching record
NBA1335–1063 (.557)
Record at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Basketball Hall of Fame
Medals
Head Coach for  United States
Representing  United States
FIBA World Championship
Gold medal – first place1994 TorontoTeam competition

8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Don Nelson (born May 15, 1940, Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.—died August 9, 2026, Frisco, Texas) was an American professional basketball player and coach who amassed 1,335 National Basketball Association (NBA) coaching victories and was named the NBA Coach of the Year three times (1983, 1985, and 1992). For more than 30 years, Nelson was the NBA’s resident mad scientist of a coach. Guiding three teams (the Golden State Warriors twice) for extended turbulent stints, Nelson made a point of innovating. Often reckless and at other times revolutionary, his squads tended to be high-scoring, loose, and less-than-enthusiastic about defense. However, he was responsible for popularizing such now-familiar aspects of the game as the “point forward” (a forward who handles the ball and runs the offense) and the tactic of “small ball” to use speed as an advantage. Although he never won an NBA championship as a coach, Nelson won five titles as a player with the Boston Celtics.

Playing career

Nelson may have been a highly unorthodox coach, but in his years as a player he was notable mostly for his reliability. After playing college ball at the University of Iowa, Nelson was drafted by the Chicago Zephyrs in 1962 but he is best remembered for his play with the mighty Boston Celtics teams of the 1960s and ’70s. He spanned two dynasties, earning five championship rings between 1966 and 1976 while coming off the bench as one of Boston’s chief reserves.

Coaching career

Milwaukee Bucks

Soon after retiring in 1976, Nelson became the head coach and, later, the general manager (GM) of the Milwaukee Bucks. He quickly remade the roster in his own image—or, rather, in the image of a team that reflected his philosophy. Frequently brilliant and sometimes baffling, his moves gave him teams he could work with on his terms. The Bucks were a play-off team for most of Nelson’s 11 seasons with the club. He left Milwaukee in 1987, became the GM of Golden State later that year, and, in 1988, added the role of Warriors head coach to his responsibilities.

Golden State Warriors

During Nelson’s first years with the Warriors, he was responsible for the “Run-T.M.C.” teams, which comprised stars Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin. (The name was a play on that of Run-D.M.C., the iconic rap group of the ’80s.) The Warriors scored in bunches and ran the floor at a breakneck pace. They immediately became one of the league’s most popular teams, despite their inability to ever attain elite status. Throughout his coaching career Nelson was haunted by the perception that his teams, while exciting and tooled for short-term success, were not built for the long haul. At worst, he was accused of mere gimmickry.

New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks

In 1995 Nelson moved on after having failed to connect with Chris Webber, Golden State’s new franchise player. For a coach who gave players such free rein to operate, Nelson had a surprising amount of conflict with them through the years, presumably over his leadership style. There was a forgettable brief tenure as coach of the New York Knicks before Nelson went to the Dallas Mavericks in 1997. There, history repeated itself as he let the team run free and oversaw the development of burgeoning superstars Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. By the end of his time there in 2005, Nelson had continued to change the face of basketball but failed to capture a championship.

Return to Golden State and retirement

Next came another stop in Golden State, where general manager Mullin, his former player, brought Nelson in to revitalize a moribund franchise. Here was perhaps the greatest victory of Nelson’s career. In the first round of the 2006–07 play-offs, the Warriors faced the top-seeded and highly favored Mavericks, who were coming off an appearance in the NBA finals and were picked by many to win it all that year. Nelson shocked his former team by guessing the Mavericks’ every move and then matching them with bursts of wild expressive basketball. The Warriors pulled off one of the biggest upsets in play-off history but then lost in the second round, and Nelson was fired by the Warriors’ new ownership in 2010. He ended his coaching career with 1,335 victories, an NBA record until surpassed by Gregg Popovich in 2022. Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. There is no question that, if a legacy is judged by its influence as well as by win/loss record, then that of Nelson looms as large as that of any other coach the game has known.

8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Donald Arvid Nelson (May 15, 1940 – August 9, 2026) was an American professional basketball player and head coach.[1] He coached the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After an All-American career at the University of Iowa, Nelson won five NBA championships playing with the Boston Celtics, with his number 19 retired by the franchise in 1978.[2]

His unique brand of basketball was often referred to as "Nellie Ball". A coaching innovator, Nelson is credited with, among other things, having pioneered the concept of the point forward, a tactic which is frequently employed by teams at every level today. He was named one of the Top 10 coaches in NBA history.

On April 7, 2010, Nelson passed Lenny Wilkens for first place on the all-time NBA wins list with his 1,333rd career win.[3] His all-time record coaching record was 1,335–1,063 (.557). Nelson held the record for the most regular season wins of any coach in NBA history until he was surpassed by Gregg Popovich in 2022. Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.[4]

Early life

Donald Arvid Nelson was born on May 15, 1940, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Arvid and Agnes Nelson. Nelson grew up with his family and two sisters on his grandfather's rural Illinois farm near Sherrard, Illinois. He first learned basketball shooting in the chicken yard where a spokeless bicycle wheel was nailed to the shed to make a basket. Nelson attended a one-room, six-grade, seven-student school. When his family lost the farm, the Nelsons moved to nearby Rock Island, Illinois, while Don was in middle school. His father Arvid eventually worked at the Rock Island Arsenal.[5][6]

Nelson attended Rock Island High School, in Rock Island, one of the Quad Cities. The Nelsons lived in downtown Rock Island on 19th street and Don would walk to school, stopping to shoot baskets at several different locations along the way. Nelson would go to the YMCA after practice and shoot more.[7][8]

Graduating in 1958, Nelson led the Rocks to a 47–7 record in his last two years under coach Bob Riley. He had 39 points and 20 rebounds against Moline High School and 30 points and 29 rebounds against No. 1-ranked Ottawa High School. As a junior, Nelson averaged 12.6 points as Rock Island finished 25–3. As a senior, Nelson averaged 20.2 points, leading the Rocks to a 22–4 record in 1957–58.[9][10]

After his senior year in high school, Nelson wasn't heavily recruited. His father did not see a future for Don in basketball and wanted him to become a watch repairman. University of Iowa Coach Sharm Scheuerman, who had graduated from Rock Island in 1952, recruited Nelson, who ultimately chose the Hawkeyes over Wheaton College and Nelson's hometown Augustana College.[11][6]

College career

As a 6-foot-6-inch (1.98 m) sophomore under coach Schuerman at Iowa, Nelson averaged a double-double of 15.8 points and 10.0 rebounds, as Iowa finished 14–10 in 1959–1960.[12]

Nelson playing for Iowa, c. 1962

In the era when NCAA freshman weren't allowed to play varsity, Nelson was joined on the Iowa campus by future Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins in 1960. However, after playing for the freshman Iowa team in 1960–1961, Hawkins was embroiled in the 1961 college basketball gambling scandal and left Iowa. Hawkins was never charged with a crime and was later reinstated by the NBA, who had banned him.[13] "If Connie had stayed, we would have had a great team," Nelson said. "I feel we could have edged out Ohio State my junior and senior years."[11]

In 1960–1961, Nelson averaged 23.8 points and 10.6 rebounds as Iowa finished second in the Big Ten Conference with an 18–6 record. A mass academic eligibility issue hit the team, as the other four starters were declared academically ineligible at semester, leaving Nelson as the only starter remaining. With Nelson carrying the team, Iowa rallied around him and finished 2nd in the Big 10.[14][11]

As a senior in 1961–1962, Nelson averaged 23.8 points and 11.9 rebounds as the Hawkeyes finished 13–11.[15] In Nelson's years at Iowa, the Big Ten conference was full of future NBA players. Among others, Ohio State had future Hall of Fame players in John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas, along with Larry Siegfried. Indiana had a future Hall of Fame inductee in Walt Bellamy, while Purdue had future NBA All-Star Terry Dischinger. "It was a terrific training ground for the pros," Nelson said. "So many of them became stars."[11] "It's an overused phrase, but the tougher the game got, the tougher Don played," Scheuerman said of Nelson. "He always had a lot of savvy. Don did some things you just can't coach. Some players have the body, but aren't mentally tough. Others are mentally tough, but don't have the body. Don had both."[11]

"I felt more responsibility and my teammates expected me to carry a bigger portion of the load," Nelson said of his Iowa career. "I still look back at that time as one of the highlights of my whole career. Sharm did a terrific job coaching and we played some terrific basketball."[11]

"What I remember most about it is playing for Sharm and our relationship over 50 years and how close we were and how much I loved that man," Nelson reflected in 2012 of Scheuerman, who died in 2010. "A role model certainly, but I could never duplicate that man's life because he was so special. I certainly tried. I'm certainly a better person just by knowing him and talking to him. But we spent a lot of time together over the last 50 years."[16] Overall, Nelson averaged 21.1 points (1,522) and 10.9 rebounds (784) in his 72-game Iowa career. He left Iowa as the program's all-time leading scorer.[17]

Professional career

Chicago Zephyrs (1962–1963)

After his career at Iowa, Nelson was selected as the 17th draft pick in the 1962 NBA draft by the Chicago Zephyrs of the NBA.

As a rookie, Nelson averaged 17 minutes, playing alongside Walt Bellamy (27.9 points), Terry Dischinger (25.5 points), Si Green and Charlie Hardnett. Zephyrs Coach Jack McMahon was replaced by player Slick Leonard halfway through the season as Chicago finished 25–55. The Chicago Zephyrs moved to become the Baltimore Bullets after the season.[18] Nelson played for the Zephyrs for one season averaging 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17 minutes. Nelson was then acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1963.

Los Angeles Lakers (1963–1965)

On September 6, 1963, Nelson was claimed on waivers by the Los Angeles Lakers from the Chicago Zephyrs. He played in 80 games in the 1963–64 season, but just 39 in the following season under coach Fred Schaus.[19]

In his first season, Nelson played 80 games and averaged 5.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17 minutes for the Lakers, as Los Angeles finished 42–38. He saw his first playoff action, as the Lakers were defeated by the St. Louis Hawks in five games. Nelson averaged 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in the series.[20][21]

In the 1964–65 season, Nelson played little, averaging 2.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in just six minutes per game in 39 games. The Lakers used Nelson more in the playoffs as they defeated Nelson's former team, the Baltimore Bullets in the playoffs 4–2. Nelson averaged 5.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the series. The Lakers then faced the Boston Celtics in the 1965 NBA Finals. The Lakers lost to the Celtics in five games, as Nelson averaged 7.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists and 20 minutes in the series.[22][23][24]

After two seasons with the Lakers, where he averaged 4.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13 minutes playing alongside Hall of Famers Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, Nelson left Los Angeles.[23][19]

Boston Celtics (1965–1976)

After playing against them the season before in the NBA Finals, Nelson was signed as a free agent by the Boston Celtics on October 28, 1965.[23][19]

In his first season with Boston and coach Red Auerbach, Nelson averaged 10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds, helping the Celtics to the 1966 NBA Championship over the Lakers. Nelson became a sixth man off the bench for Boston, playing alongside Hall of Famers Bill Russell, Sam Jones, Satch Sanders, John Havlicek and KC Jones, as well as Larry Siegfried, Willie Naulls and Mel Counts.[25]

Four more championships with Boston followed in 1968, 1969, 1974, and 1976.

In the 1967–68 season, Nelson was one of seven Celtics to average in double figures, as the Celtics finished 54–28 under player/coach Bill Russell. Nelson joined Russell, Havlicek, Bailey Howell, Sam Jones, Sanders and Siegfried in double digit scoring. The Celtics defeated the Lakers in six games in the 1968 NBA Finals to capture the NBA Championship. In the 1968 NBA Finals, Nelson averaged 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 27 minutes.[26][27]

In the 1968–69 season, Nelson averaged 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds as Boston finished 48–34 under Russell. They defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4–1 and the New York Knicks 4–2 to advance to the NBA finals, where again they faced the Lakers. In Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals, against his former team, Nelson converted one of the most famous shots in playoff history—a foul-line jumper which dropped through the basket after hitting the back rim and bouncing several feet straight up. The shot, taken with just over a minute to go in the game and the Celtics clinging to a 103–102 lead, helped secure Boston's 11th NBA title in 13 seasons and Nelson's third title with the Celtics.[28][29]

Nelson with the Boston Celtics, c. 1970–76

In the 1973–74 season, after rebuilding, the Celtics finished 56–26 under coach Tommy Heinsohn, as Nelson averaged 11.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in 21.3 minutes at age 33. Nelson and Havlicek were now joined by Jo Jo White, Dave Cowens, Paul Westphal, Paul Silas and Don Chaney on the roster.[30]

In the first playoff round against the Buffalo Braves, Nelson scored over 20 points three times, averaging 15.7 points as the Celtics won in six games.[31] In the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks (a team that had beat Boston in the playoffs in the past two seasons), Nelson scored 23 points in a game 2 win, averaging 15 points as Boston won in five games.[32]

In the 1974 NBA Finals, the Celtics faced the Milwaukee Bucks, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson and Bobby Dandridge. In game seven at Milwaukee, Nelson started over Silas and played a key part in double-teaming Abdul-Jabbar. He scored six points in 17 minutes as Boston had a 13-point halftime lead and won 102–87, securing their fourth NBA championship with Nelson.[28][33][34]

Nelson played his last season in the 1975–76 season, and won his fifth NBA championship as Boston defeated the Phoenix Suns in the 1976 NBA Finals in six games. Nelson averaged 6.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in the regular season and 9.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in the playoffs.[19][35]

Career totals

Nelson averaged more than 10 points per game every season between 1968–69 and 1974–75 (before the introduction of the three-point shot). He led the NBA in field-goal percentage in 1974–75 at age 34, the oldest and shortest player to do so. Nelson was coined as one of the best "sixth men" ever to play in the NBA. He was also known for his distinctive one-handed style for shooting free throws. He would place the ball in his shooting hand, lean in almost off-balance and toe the free-throw line with his right foot and his left leg trailing. He would then push the ball toward the basket completely with his right hand while springing with his right knee and lifting the trailing foot in a sort of "hop".[28][19]

Nelson retired as a player following the 1975–76 season. His number 19 jersey was retired to the Boston Garden rafters in 1978. In 872 games with Boston over 11 seasons, Nelson averaged 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists.[19]

Overall, in 1053 career NBA games, Nelson averaged 10.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.6 minutes, shooting 48.4% from the floor and 76.9% from the line. In 150 career playoff games, Nelson averaged 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.4 minutes, shooting 49.8% from the floor and 81.9% from the line.[19]

Coaching and executive career (1976–2010)

Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1988)

After his career ended, Nelson's son Donnie remembers the family sitting in a Maid Rite restaurant in Moline, Illinois, and Don saying he had three choices: sell cars, become an NBA referee, or accept an assistant's job under Milwaukee coach Larry Costello. They voted 5–0 for the Milwaukee job, which paid $25,000.[6]

Nelson began his coaching career as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1976. After a 3–15 start to the season, Larry Costello resigned and Nelson was named Head Coach.[36] A year later he became General Manager of the Bucks and soon began to show what would later become his signature style of wheeling and dealing players. Nelson made his first trade in 1977 by sending Swen Nater to the Buffalo Braves and turned the draft pick he received into Marques Johnson, who had a solid career with the Bucks. On November 25, 1977, the day after Thanksgiving, Nelson managed the greatest fourth-quarter comeback in NBA history. With Milwaukee down twenty-nine points to Atlanta, on the road, and with only 8:43 remaining, the Bucks went on a 35–4 run to win 117–115 in regulation. At the time, there was no three-point field goal.[citation needed]

In 1980, he sent off an underachieving Kent Benson to the Detroit Pistons for Bob Lanier. Perhaps his most publicized deal came before the 1984–85 season when he dealt Johnson, Junior Bridgeman, Harvey Catchings, and cash to the San Diego Clippers for Terry Cummings, Craig Hodges, and Ricky Pierce. And, in 1986, he would deal Alton Lister to the Seattle SuperSonics for Jack Sikma.[citation needed]

Taking over a Bucks team in the aftermath of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's departure to Los Angeles, Nelson was able to improve their win total by 14 games in his first full season as head coach, and established the team as a legitimate championship contender by 1980. It was in Milwaukee where Nelson became known for his unorthodox, innovative basketball philosophy. He pioneered the concept of the point forward – a tactic wherein small forwards are used to direct the offense. In Nelson's tenure with the Bucks, he used 6–5 small forward Paul Pressey for the role.[37] This enabled Nelson to field shooting guards Sidney Moncrief and Craig Hodges or Ricky Pierce at the same time without worrying about who would run the offense. In his offensive half-court sets, he would also put a center who wasn't a threat on offense, like Lister or Randy Breuer, at mid-court instead of near the basket to keep a shot-blocking center like the Utah Jazz's Mark Eaton away from the basket to make him less of a threat on defense.[citation needed]

This system, known as "Nellie Ball", created a lot of mismatches and enabled Nelson to lead the Bucks to seven straight Central Division championships with over 50 wins in each of those seasons. He earned NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1983 and 1985. For seven straight years, finishing no worse than second best in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks ended up being eliminated in the playoffs by either the Larry Bird-led Boston Celtics or the Julius Erving-led Philadelphia 76ers. After the 1986–87 season, which included some controversy and distraction before Game 4 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics where Nelson told the local sports media that he didn't expect to be back once the season concluded due to a rift with Bucks owner Herb Kohl,[38] Nelson resigned as head coach of the Bucks. In 11 seasons, Nelson had a 540–344 (.611) record with Milwaukee.[39]

Golden State Warriors (1988–1995)

In 1986 former Bucks owner, Jim Fitzgerald, purchased the Golden State Warriors. Nelson did part-time work as a color analyst for NBA games on TBS during the 1987–88 season. During the season he was contacted by the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and New York Knicks with offers to coach their teams. Nelson decided to go with Golden State, in large part due to his relationship with Fitzgerald, at first buying a minority stake in the team[40] before being named head coach and vice president after one season away from the NBA.[citation needed]

In Golden State, he instilled a "run-and-gun" style of offense. Again using an unconventional lineup which featured three guards (Mitch Richmond, Tim Hardaway and Sarunas Marciulionis) and two forwards (Chris Mullin and the 6'8" Rod Higgins at center), he coached the Warriors to a 23-game turnaround of their previous season and back into the playoffs with his lineup popularly known as Run TMC, for Tim, Mitch and Chris. All three were later elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after their careers. Nelson was named NBA Coach of the Year a third time after the 1991–92 season.[citation needed]

Nelson continued to retool the team, drafting All-Star Latrell Sprewell in 1992. Nelson traded the Warriors' number 3 pick Penny Hardaway to the Orlando Magic for their number one overall pick Chris Webber during the 1993 NBA draft. Despite Webber averaging 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game and winning the 1994 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, he found himself at odds with Nelson's preference to play him at center rather than power forward. Frequently clashing with one another, Webber threatened to use the out-clause in his contract if he wasn't traded. Nelson reportedly offered to resign rather than let the team trade away their young star, but nonetheless Webber was dealt to the Washington Bullets on November 7, 1994, for Tom Gugliotta and three future 1st round draft picks (1996, 1998 and 2000).[41]

Nelson resigned as head coach of the Warriors on February 13, 1995. He made the playoffs with Golden State in four of his six seasons there. Subsequently, the Warriors did not qualify for the playoffs for the next 12 seasons, until he returned to the team in 2006.[39]

Team USA: "Dream Team II" (1994)

In 1994, Nelson coached the Team USA national basketball team at the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto, and led them to the gold medal.[42] The team was marketed as "Dream Team II".[43][44]

Coached by Nelson, along with assistants Don Chaney, Pete Gillen, and Rick Majerus, Team USA had a roster of Derrick Coleman, Joe Dumars, Tim Hardaway (injured), Kevin Johnson, Larry Johnson, Shawn Kemp, Dan Majerle, Reggie Miller, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O'Neal, Mark Price, Steve Smith, Isiah Thomas (injured), and Dominique Wilkins.[45]

USA went 8–0, defeating Spain 115–100, China 132–77, and Brazil 105–82. In the final round, the U.S. team defeated Australia 130–74, Puerto Rico 134–83, Russia 111–94, and Greece 97–58. In the gold medal game, Team USA defeated Russia 137–91.[45]

Nelson stated, "I really don't know why they chose me, to tell you the truth. But I do know I always wanted to coach a U.S. national team. I didn't really have any conversations with [the league or USA Basketball] in advance of them choosing me. But, heck, it was an honor. It was probably the top experience that I had as a coach. To stand up there and see your flag raised is a special thing."[46]

New York Knicks (1995–1996)

Nelson was hired by the New York Knicks after their original choice, Chuck Daly, declined their coaching offer.[47] In 1995, Nelson began his stint with the Knicks,[48] which lasted from July 1995 until March 1996. Nelson coached the Knicks to a 34–25 record, but his up-tempo style of offense sharply contrasted the Knicks' defensive style of play.[49] Nelson also suggested the Knicks trade Patrick Ewing so the team could make an offer to Shaquille O'Neal, who was rumored to be interested in a move to New York.[49]

On March 8, 1996, Nelson was fired as head coach by the Knicks. He was replaced by his assistant, Jeff Van Gundy. He had a 34–25 record. New York finished 13–10 with Van Gundy, for an overall record of 47–35.[50][39]

Dallas Mavericks (1997–2005)

Nelson was named head coach and general manager of the Dallas Mavericks in 1997. He was coming to a team that had been dormant through the 1990s and a permanent fixture in the NBA lottery. In 1998, his first full off-season in charge, Nelson worked out draft day deals with the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, essentially trading the draft rights of Robert Traylor and Pat Garrity for Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, whom he wanted to pair with the Mavericks rising star Michael Finley.

The trio of Nash, Finley and Nowitzki became the foundation for the Mavericks dramatic turnaround, as Nelson coached the Mavericks to four consecutive 50-win seasons. The height of their success was a 60-win season in 2002–03, when they reached the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. An injury to Nowitzki in game 3 that kept him out for the rest of the series doomed the Mavericks as they lost in six games.

Lacking an interior presence to combat low-post players such as Shaquille O'Neal, Nelson introduced the "Hack-a-Shaq" defense to the NBA while in Dallas. In the 2004 off-season, Steve Nash was offered a max contract by the Phoenix Suns; despite Nelson's insistence on matching the offer, Mark Cuban declined and Nash accepted Phoenix's offer.[51] Nash won consecutive MVPs with the Suns the following two seasons.

On March 19, 2005, Nelson stepped down as Dallas' head coach, naming Avery Johnson as his successor. Nelson retained his job as Dallas' GM until after the season, when he named his son, assistant GM Donnie Nelson, as his replacement as GM. The Mavericks reached the NBA Finals the following season, though they would lose to the Miami Heat in six games.

Nelson has spoken fondly of his time in Dallas, but admitted he lost interest in remaining with the team when they did not re-sign Nash. In eight seasons with Dallas, Nelson had a 339–251 (.575) record.[39]

Golden State Warriors, second stint (2006–2010)

Nelson as the Warriors' head coach in March 2009

On August 29, 2006, Nelson returned to the Golden State Warriors for a second stint as head coach. Chris Mullin, a favorite of Nelson's from his first stint as Warriors head coach, was the team's general manager. Nelson's style of coaching favored the play of Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Matt Barnes, Jason Richardson, and Andris Biedriņš. Midway through the season, Mullin (at behest of Nelson) orchestrated a trade with the Pacers to obtain Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson.

The new lineup thrived under Nelson; Davis, Biedriņš and Jackson saw an increase in scoring and efficiency, Barnes went from a virtual unknown to a solid rotation contributor,[52] and Ellis was named the NBA's Most Improved Player after averaging 16.5 points per game, a substantial increase from his average of 6.8 points per game the prior season.[53] The Warriors closed out the season on a 16–5 run and just managed to qualify for the 2007 playoffs.

Nelson faced his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, in the first round of the playoffs. The Mavs had the NBA's best record, and were a pick to win the NBA championship that year. In one of the biggest upsets in NBA playoff history, Nelson coached the 8th-seeded Warriors to series victory over the top-seeded Mavericks in six games. It was numerically the largest upset in the history of the NBA playoffs, with the 67–15 Mavericks' regular-season win–loss record 25 games better than the 42–40 Warriors'. The Warriors went on to lose to the Utah Jazz in the second round. Nelson became the only coach in NBA history to steer three teams to a first round series victory while being seeded either 7th or 8th, having previously coached the Warriors to first-round upsets of the Jazz in 1989 and the Spurs in 1991 as the 7th seed.

On January 29, 2008, Chris Webber signed with the Warriors, reuniting with Nelson and returning to the team that had drafted him 15 years earlier.[54] His return lasted only nine games as he was forced to retire due to injuries,[55] but his return signaled closure to arguably the biggest blemish on Nelson's otherwise impressive resume as a player's coach.[56] The Warriors finished 48–34 that season, their most wins since 1993–94 (during Nelson's first stint with the team). However, in a tightly contested Western Conference, the Warriors missed the playoffs by two games.

The next two seasons saw the Warriors plunge back into mediocrity (29–53 and 26–56), losing most of the players from their 2007 playoff run to either trades or free agency. The first of his two losing seasons brought the Warriors the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, and Nelson pushed the team to draft Stephen Curry, despite skepticism from critics. Curry would go on to win back-to-back MVP awards and helped lead Golden State to championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. Curry was also named 2022 NBA Finals MVP.[57][58]

On September 23, 2010, Nelson announced he would resign as head coach.[59] The San Francisco Chronicle reported that new owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber wanted "a young, up-and-coming coach" to help revive the Warriors' fortunes. Longtime assistant Keith Smart succeeded Nelson as coach.[60] In February 2011, Nelson said on Bay Area radio station KNBR that he was fired: "I talked to (Lacob) on the phone before I got fired, and I was really impressed. I was a little surprised with the way things happened, but I think it is for the best for everybody."[61]

In 11 total seasons with Golden State, Nelson's teams finished 422–443 (.488). He ended his coaching career with 2398 games and a 1335–1063 (.557) record.[39]

NBA coaching record

On December 29, 2001, Nelson became the third coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games, behind Lenny Wilkens and Pat Riley. Nelson won his 1,300th career game on February 21, 2009, joining Wilkens as the only coach to pass this milestone. Nelson defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 7, 2010, achieving his 1,333rd career win and passing Lenny Wilkens for first all-time on the list of the NBA's winningest coaches. This would later be surpassed by Gregg Popovich who won his 1,336th game on March 11, 2022. Nelson finished his career with 1,335 regular season victories.[62]

Personal life

Nelson married Joy Wolfgram at the Oakland Coliseum in June 1991.[63] Nelson and his wife have a total of six children from prior marriages.[63][64] He has a daughter born out of wedlock and put up for adoption whom he did not know about for 29 years and who first reached out to him in 1997, not wanting anything in return. She now lives in Maui near Nelson and his wife.[64]

He had fifteen grandchildren as of 2012.[65]

Nelson's son Donnie Nelson was the general manager of the Dallas Mavericks. Donnie was Don's assistant coach with the Mavericks when Don won his 1,000th NBA game. Donnie moved from coaching to become the president of basketball operations for the Mavericks in 2002 while his father was still coaching Dallas. Donnie Nelson was an assistant coach for Lithuania in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics.[66][67]

He called Dirk Nowitzki his "German son". Nelson coached Nowitzki for his first six NBA seasons in Dallas.[68] "In my second game ever in the NBA -- obviously I wasn't a defensive presence -- he wanted me out there in the game but he didn't have anybody for me to guard," recalled the 7'0" Nowitzki. "So he let me guard [5-foot-3] Muggsy Bogues for a couple possessions. He said, 'Just stand there in the paint and wave at him. He doesn't want to shoot.'"[66]

In the summers, while a player and when he became an NBA coach, Nelson would continually work with his Rock Island High School coach Bob Riley at a basketball camp and the two would play golf after. Riley died in 2009. "He always made sure he checked in on my dad," said Bob's son Jack Riley.[69]

Nelson had a hand in the Celtics drafting teammate Steve Kuberski. While with the Celtics, Nelson would return home to the Quad Cities and played with Kuberski, then at Bradley University, at the Moline YMCA. Kuberski was from Moline, Illinois, and had played at Moline High School, a Western Big 6 rival of Nelson's alma mater Rock Island High School. "We were just playing one-on-one but he went back to Boston and said they should take a look at this kid when his class comes up," Kuberski said of Nelson's influence. "They drafted me on whim a year early."[70]

After his playing career ended, Nelson refereed basketball games in the summer league, thinking that becoming a referee might be his next career. "I never thought about coaching. I always wondered what in the world I'm going to do when I retire. That's why I tried refereeing", Nelson said.[71] "He sucked as a referee, according to what he tells me", said Nelson's former teammate Joel Novak, who played with Nelson at both Rock Island High School and the University of Iowa. Nelson credits Novak with a lot of his rebounds for missing many shots.[72][71]

Nelson at the Dallas International Film Festival in 2012

During the 1986 season, Nelson established The Don Nelson Fund with the help of the Milwaukee Bucks to aid struggling farmers in Wisconsin. The idea originated from Wisconsin dairy farmer Clarence Willcome, to whom Nelson donated his $11,000 1986 NBA Playoffs bonus compensation. Nelson headed a weight loss drive to raise more money for Willcome and the Wisconsin Farm Fund.[73]

He had prostate cancer surgery in 2000.[67]

Nelson graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in physical education in 2012. He left Iowa in 1962 with his degree coursework nearly completed. He later took Spanish classes to fulfill some of his missing 8 foreign language credit hours. He still lacked student-teaching credits. When Nelson called the university, after being inspired by Shaquille O'Neal to finish his degree, Iowa decided that his lifetime of teaching through NBA coaching would fulfill that requirement and invited him to the graduation ceremony in 2012. He attended and received his diploma with over 45 family members and friends accompanying him.[74][75]

As of April 2018, Nelson lived in Maui, where he had a farm to grow flowers, coffee, and cannabis.[64] He hosted local poker games with celebrities such as Willie Nelson, Woody Harrelson, and Owen Wilson.[64]

"I know how far I've come from being a hog farmer," Nelson said of his career. "I've come a long, long way from being some country kid. I got in the fast lane, and I've stayed there a long time. I've done pretty well."[5]

"All I can tell you is he's happy. He's in Maui, drinking Mai Tais and watching sunsets and whales. Life's good," said his son Donnie.[66]

In early 2026, Nelson moved from Maui to Frisco, Texas.[76] On August 9, 2026, Nelson died at the age of 86.[77][78][79] The Dallas Morning News reported that he had suffered a stroke three weeks prior, and had been admitted to hospice.[76]

Honors

Nelson's Celtics #19 was retired in 1978

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG% Field goal percentage 3P% 3-point field goal percentage FT% Free throw percentage
 RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
 BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high
 † Won an NBA championship * Led the league

Regular season

YearTeamGPMPGFG%FT%RPGAPGSTLBLKPPG
1962–63Chicago6217.3.440.7294.51.2––6.8
1963–64L.A. Lakers8017.6.418.7414.01.0––5.2
1964–65L.A. Lakers396.1.424.7691.90.6––2.4
1965–66†Boston7523.5.439.6845.41.1––10.2
1966–67Boston7915.2.446.7423.70.8––7.5
1967–68†Boston8218.3.494.7285.31.3––10.0
1968–69†Boston8221.6.485.7765.61.1––11.6
1969–70Boston8227.1.501.7757.31.8––15.4
1970–71Boston8227.5.468.7446.91.9––13.9
1971–72Boston8225.4.480.7885.52.3––13.8
1972–73Boston7219.8.476.8464.41.4––10.8
1973–74†Boston8221.3.508.7884.22.00.20.211.5
1974–75Boston7926.0.539*.8275.92.30.40.214.0
1975–76†Boston7512.6.462.7892.41.00.20.16.4
Career105320.6.480.7654.91.40.30.110.3

Playoffs

YearTeamGPMPGFG%FT%RPGAPGSTLBLKPPG
1964L.A. Lakers511.2.5381.0002.60.4––3.4
1965L.A. Lakers1119.3.453.7605.41.7––6.1
1966†Boston1718.6.424.8085.00.8––8.4
1967Boston915.8.458.5884.71.0––7.1
1968†Boston1924.6.520.7437.51.7––12.5
1969†Boston1819.3.518.8334.61.2––12.4
1972Boston1128.0.525.8545.51.9––13.2
1973Boston1323.3.465.8752.91.2––11.0
1974†Boston1825.9.500.7745.41.90.40.211.4
1975Boston1124.9.564.9024.12.40.20.215.4
1976†Boston1817.5.481.8702.90.90.20.19.1
Career15021.4.498.8174.81.40.30.110.5

Head coaching record

Legend
Regular seasonGGames coachedWGames wonLGames lostW–L %Win–loss %
PlayoffsPGPlayoff gamesPWPlayoff winsPLPlayoff lossesPW–L %Playoff win–loss %
TeamYearGWLW–L%FinishPGPWPLPW–L%Result
Milwaukee1976–77642737.4226th in Midwest————Missed Playoffs
Milwaukee1977–78824438.5372nd in Midwest954.556Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee1978–79823844.4634th in Midwest————Missed Playoffs
Milwaukee1979–80824933.5981st in Midwest734.429Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee1980–81826022.7321st in Central734.429Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee1981–82825527.6711st in Central624.333Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee1982–83825131.6221st in Central954.556Lost in Conf. Finals
Milwaukee1983–84825032.6101st in Central1688.500Lost in Conf. Finals
Milwaukee1984–85825923.7201st in Central835.375Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee1985–86825725.6951st in Central1477.500Lost in Conf. Finals
Milwaukee1986–87825032.6103rd in Central1266.500Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State1988–89824339.5244th in Pacific844.500Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State1989–90823745.4515th in Pacific————Missed Playoffs
Golden State1990–91824438.5374th in Pacific945.444Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State1991–92825527.6712nd in Pacific413.250Lost in First Round
Golden State1992–93823448.4156th in Pacific————Missed Playoffs
Golden State1993–94825032.6103rd in Pacific303.000Lost in First Round
Golden State1994–95451431.311(resigned)—————
New York1995–96593425.576(fired)—————
Dallas1997–98661650.2425th in Midwest————Missed Playoffs
Dallas1998–99501931.3805th in Midwest————Missed Playoffs
Dallas1999–00824042.4884th in Midwest————Missed Playoffs
Dallas2000–01825329.6462nd in Midwest1046.400Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Dallas2001–02825725.6952nd in Midwest844.500Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Dallas2002–03826022.7321st in Midwest201010.500Lost in Conf. Finals
Dallas2003–04825230.6343rd in Midwest514.200Lost in First Round
Dallas2004–05644222.656(resigned)—————
Golden State2006–07824240.5123rd in Pacific1156.455Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State2007–08824834.5853rd in Pacific————Missed Playoffs
Golden State2008–09822953.3543rd in Pacific————Missed Playoffs
Golden State2009–10822656.3174th in Pacific————Missed Playoffs
Career2,3981,3351,063.5571667591.452

References

  1.  "Don Nelson Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  2.  Jackson, James; Amick, Sam (August 9, 2026). "Don Nelson, 5-time NBA champion and pioneer of 'Nellie Ball' as coach, dies at 86". The Athletic.
  3.  "Nelson sets NBA career victories mark in Warriors' defeat of Wolves'". Associated Press. April 7, 2010.
  4.  "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Don Nelson". www.hoophall.com. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  5.  "Trying season makes Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson feels even older at 69". February 10, 2010.
  6.  03/02/2003, BRAD TOWNSEND, The Dallas Morning News
  7.  Doxsie, Don (April 7, 2010). "Rock Island grad Nelson surprises old friends with NBA record run". The Quad-City Times.
  8.  "Rocky's Nelson to get Iowa degree after 50 years". May 6, 2012.
  9.  "Don Nelson's basketball career highlights". The Quad-City Times. May 5, 2012.
  10.  "YEAR BY YEAR SEASON RECORDS – Boys' Basketball – Rock Island - Milan Athletics". athletics.rimsd41.org.
  11.  "Register Sports Hall of Fame Database - Don Nelson - DesMoinesRegister.com". data.desmoinesregister.com.[dead link]
  12.  "1959-60 Iowa Hawkeyes Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  13.  Flatter, Ron (August 31, 2000). "Connie Hawkins: Flying Outside". ESPN. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  14.  "1960-61 Iowa Hawkeyes Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  15.  "1961-62 Iowa Hawkeyes Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  16.  Dochterman, Scott. "NBA legend Don Nelson's 50-year quest for Iowa diploma ends Saturday". The Gazette.
  17.  "Don Nelson College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  18.  "1962-63 Chicago Zephyrs Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  19.  "Don Nelson Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  20.  "1964 NBA Western Division Semifinals - Los Angeles Lakers vs. St. Louis Hawks". Basketball-Reference.com.
  21.  "1963-64 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  22.  "1965 NBA Finals - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics". Basketball-Reference.com.
  23.  "1964-65 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  24.  "1965 NBA Western Division Finals - Baltimore Bullets vs. Los Angeles Lakers". Basketball-Reference.com.
  25.  "1965-66 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  26.  "1968 NBA Finals - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics". Basketball-Reference.com.
  27.  "1967-68 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  28.  Parquet, Professor (September 19, 2016). "Don Nelson: the Celtics' unlikely multiple-time champion". CelticsBlog.
  29.  "1968-69 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  30.  "1973-74 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  31.  "1974 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals - Buffalo Braves vs. Boston Celtics". Basketball-Reference.com.
  32.  "1974 NBA Eastern Conference Finals - New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  33.  "1974 NBA Finals - Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks". Basketball-Reference.com.
  34.  "Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, May 12, 1974". Basketball-Reference.com.
  35.  "1975-76 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  36.  "Costello and Quit Bucks". The New York Times. November 23, 1976.
  37.  Aschburner, Steve (December 21, 2010). "LeBron a point forward? Well, he wouldn't be the first". NBA.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012.
  38.  "Don Nelson resigned as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks..." UPI.
  39.  "Don Nelson".
  40.  "Former Milwaukee Bucks coach Don Nelson has begun the..." UPI.
  41.  "Warriors trade Chris Webber to Bullets for Tom Gugliotta".
  42.  "1994 World Championship for Men". .fiba.com archive. August 14, 1994. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  43.  Araton, Harvey (August 15, 1994). "BASKETBALL; Dream Team Ends Its Sequel Predictably". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.
  44.  Taylor, Phil (August 22, 1994). "Yes, It Was A Joke". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012.
  45.  "Twelfth World Championship -- 1994". Archived from the original on April 25, 2018.
  46.  "Dream Team II: The U.S. Team That Time Forgot". Bleacher Report.
  47.  "Knicks Moving to Plan B : Pro basketball: Daly scuttles hopes of getting the coach they wanted, but Nelson likely waiting in the wings". June 25, 1995 – via LA Times.
  48.  Mike Wise (July 7, 1995). "Knicks Crown Nelson Coach Of New York - tribunedigital-orlandosentinel". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  49.  Hindsight, The Knicks And Nelson's Foresight, The New York Times, March 2, 2007
  50.  "1995-96 New York Knicks Roster and Stats".
  51.  Kelly Dwyer (December 12, 2012). "Mark Cuban contends that Don Nelson once wanted to trade Jason Terry for … Raul Lopez?". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  52.  Hu, Janny (December 14, 2006). "Barnes turns Warriors into believers". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on November 13, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  53.  "Ellis edges Martin, wins most improved award". ESPN. April 26, 2007. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  54.  Beacham, Greg (February 1, 2008). "Chris Webber hopes ancient feud stays buried when he rejoins Warriors". USA Today. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  55.  Warriors' Webber calls it quits, SI.com. Retrieved on March 25, 2008.
  56.  Dubow, Josh (March 25, 2008). "Chris Webber ends comeback, will retire". USA Today. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  57.  Berman, Marc (May 30, 2015). "Don Nelson: Stephen Curry pick wasn't vendetta vs. Knicks | New York Post". New York Post. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  58.  McCallum, Jack, "Golden Days" (2017), p. 53
  59.  Freud, Sleepy (September 23, 2010). "Don Nelson to Resign as Golden State Warriors Head Coach". Golden State Of Mind. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  60.  Simmons, Rusty. No more Nellieball for the Warriors. San Francisco Chronicle, September 24, 2010.
  61.  Simmons, Rusty (February 4, 2011). "Nelson cites Warriors' effort, calls roster flawed". San Francisco Chronicle. p. B-1. Archived from the original on February 7, 2011. It was done really professionally", Nelson said. "I talked to (Lacob) on the phone before I got fired, and I was really impressed. I was a little surprised with the way things happened, but I think it is for the best for everybody.
  62.  Samillano, Gerard (March 11, 2022). "Spurs coach Gregg Popovich becomes NBA's winningest coach of all-time". ClutchPoints. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  63.  "Warriors coach Nelson married in Coliseum". The Signal. Santa Clarita, California. AP. June 30, 1991. p. 23. Retrieved May 1, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  64.  Williams, Alex (April 30, 2018). "Don Nelson Talks Hoops, Poker and, Uh, Weed". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  65.  "NBA legend Don Nelson's 50-year quest for Iowa diploma ends Saturday".
  66.  "NBA.com: League dealing with absence of longtime NBA figure Nelson". NBA.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  67.  Star-Telegram, DWAIN PRICE Fort Worth (December 31, 2001). "NELSON'S SON PROUD OF MILESTONE\ DON NELSON'S 1,000TH VICTORY MEANS A LOT TO HIS ASSISTANT COACH, DONNIE NELSON". Greensboro News and Record.
  68.  Schmidt, Matthew (April 10, 2019). "Former Mavs Coach Don Nelson Delivers Special Message For Dirk Nowitzki". ClutchPoints.
  69.  Marx, John (February 23, 2009). "Rock Island coaching legend Bob Riley dies Monday". Dispatch-Argus-QCOnline.
  70.  Doxsie, Don (April 16, 2001). "Q-C Hall of Fame: Can-do attitude carried Kuberski". The Quad-City Times.
  71.  "Stein: Q&A with luckiest guy in the world Don Nelson". ESPN.com. September 6, 2012.
  72.  Doxsie, Don (April 11, 2010). "Eye Openers: Nelson nearly became a referee". The Quad-City Times.
  73.  "Milwaukee Bucks coach Don Nelson has given up his...". United Press International. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. May 22, 1986.
  74.  Simmons, Rusty (March 20, 2012). "Hall of Fame? Don Nelson prefers graduating". SFGate. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  75.  "Dallas Mavericks: Ex-Mavs coach Don Nelson set to graduate 50 years after leaving Iowa | SportsDay". Dallasnews.com. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  76.  Townsend, Brad (August 9, 2026). "Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA and Dallas Mavericks history, dies at 86". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on August 9, 2026. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  77.  Poole, Monte (August 9, 2026). "Former Golden State Warriors coach, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Don Nelson dead at 86". NBC Sports Bay Area. Archived from the original on August 10, 2026. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  78.  Jackson, James; Amick, Sam (August 9, 2026). "Don Nelson, 5-time NBA champion and pioneer of 'Nellie Ball' as coach, dies at 86". The Athletic. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 9, 2026. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  79.  "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  80.  "Illinois Basketball Coaches Association". www.ibcaillinois.org. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  81.  "Retired Numbers". Boston Celtics.
  82.  "Don Nelson". The Quad-City Times. April 21, 2015.
  83.  "Nelson « University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame - Official Website".
  84.  "Basketball Hall of Fame: Don Nelson inducted". Mercurynews.com. September 7, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2017.

8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Don Nelson, 5-time NBA champion and pioneer of ‘Nellie Ball’ as coach, dies at 86

Don Nelson waves to fans during a half time ceremony to retire the No. 17 jersey of Chris Mullin at Oracle Arena.

Don Nelson finished with a 1,335-1,063 career record as a head coach after winning five titles with the Boston Celtics as a player. Kelley L Cox / USA Today

By James Jackson, Sam Amick and Christian Clark

Don Nelson, a five-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics as a player and one of the winningest coaches in league history, died Sunday at 86, his family announced in a statement.

“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family,” the statement read. “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.”

A cause of death was not shared, but The Dallas Morning News reported that Nelson had a stroke roughly three weeks ago.

The pioneer of “Nellie Ball,” Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 2012 after posting 1,335 career regular-season victories in the NBA — a win total that trails only Gregg Popovich (1,390) for the league record.

Nelson began his coaching career as an assistant in 1976 with the Milwaukee Bucks and is credited with developing a fast-paced brand of offensive basketball that relied on smaller, more athletic players to seek mismatches and outrun opponents. His success led to his being named to the NBA’s lists of the top 10 (1996) and top 15 (2021) coaches of all time, and his offensive philosophies still influence basketball today.

Nelson served as head coach for four franchises during a 31-season NBA coaching career. That included 11 seasons each with the Milwaukee Bucks (540-344) and Golden State Warriors (422-443), as well as eight seasons with the Dallas Mavericks (339-251) and one campaign with the New York Knicks in 1995-96 that saw him fired with a 34-25 record and replaced by Jeff Van Gundy.

On April 7, 2010, with his 1,333rd victory on the sidelines, Nelson passed Lenny Wilkens to set the NBA record for most regular-season coaching wins before finishing his career with a record of 1,335-1,063, a .556 win percentage.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to Nellie’s family, friends, former players, colleagues, fans and all who knew him,” read a statement from the Bucks, with whom Nelson won two of his three NBA Coach of the Year awards. “He will always be a treasured part of Bucks history and one of the most influential figures the game has ever known.”

Nelson was a central figure in helping resurrect a Mavericks franchise that went 10 straight seasons without a playoff appearance between 1990 and 2000. In 1998, he was instrumental in Dallas acquiring Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash in separate draft-night trades, moves that set the stage for the Mavs to become one of the NBA’s highest-scoring and most exciting teams of the early 2000s. The Mavericks reached the Western Conference finals in 2003, and Nelson stepped down two years later with 18 games left in the 2004-05 season.

“You didn’t just draft me. You believed in me,” Nowitzki wrote Sunday in a post on X. “You saw things in my game before I ever realized I could do them. I’ve said it a million times and I will always say it: I don’t think my career could have turned out how it did without you being my first coach and giving me the freedom to play my game. I can only say THANK YOU. For everything.”

While none of the teams he coached won an NBA title, Nelson had 18 playoff appearances and a 75-91 career postseason record. Among his biggest postseason triumphs was his “We Believe” Warriors’ first-round upset of the very same Mavericks he coached just two seasons earlier.

Dallas entered that 2007 postseason as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but Nelson’s eighth-seeded Warriors outsted them in six games before eventually falling to the Utah Jazz in the second round. It was the highlight of Nelson’s second stint with Golden State, where his coaching career eventually ended after the 2009-10 season.

“Nellie left an indelible mark on our franchise with his approach to the game,” a statement from the Warriors read. “From the Run TMC era to the ‘We Believe’ team in 2007, his teams captivated Bay Area basketball fans and created some of the most memorable moments in Warriors history.”

Despite never reaching the mountaintop as an NBA coach, Nelson experienced championship glory in his 14-season NBA playing career, helping the Celtics hang five banners over an 11-year stint. Initially drafted in the third round of the 1962 NBA Draft by the Chicago Zephyrs, Nelson played just one season in the Windy City before being acquired off waivers by the Los Angeles Lakers.

After two unremarkable seasons in L.A., Nelson signed with the Celtics as a free agent in 1965, and his game and role grew. During his first season under new coach Red Auerbach, Nelson posted averages of 10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds to help the Celtics win the 1965-66 championship. He contributed as a sixth man for a roster that included Boston legends Bill Russell, Sam Jones, John Havlicek, Satch Sanders and KC Jones. In 11 seasons as a Celtic, Nelson averaged at least 10 points nine times.

He was even more dangerous in the playoffs, averaging 11.1 points on 50 percent shooting and 4.8 rebounds in 134 career postseason games for the Celtics. He’s among 26 players to win at least five NBA championships — 11 of those players did so with Boston — and his No. 19 jersey was retired by the franchise in 1978.

Auerbach told the New York Times back in 1974 that he had always taken a liking to Nelson as a player, due in part to how he positioned himself on the court.

“But more than that, he has great knowledge of the game,” Auerbach said. “Someday he’s going to be a coach, and a very good one. He knows the game, and he plays it hard.”

Nelson was born on May 15, 1940, in Muskegon, Mich., to Arvid and Agnes Nelson, who raised him and two sisters on his grandfather’s farm close to Sherrard, Ill. The family eventually moved to nearby Rock Island, Ill., where Nelson attended middle school and fell in love with basketball.

He caught the eye of Iowa Hawkeyes coach Sharm Scheuerman after helping lead Rock Island to a 47-7 record over his final two high school seasons and eventually landed in Iowa City. There, Nelson averaged 21.1 points and 10.9 rebounds over three varsity seasons from 1959-62, and was inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989. His career scoring average remains a program record.

Nelson is survived by his wife, Joy Wolfgram, whom he married in June 1991. They had six children between them.

The couple moved to Maui, Hawaii, shortly after Nelson finished his coaching career. There, he returned to his farming roots, growing flowers, coffee and marijuana, and often playing cards in his famed poker room through his final years.

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)