Don Nelson, a five-time NBA champion as a player and the second-winningest coach in the league’s history, died Sunday at the age of 86. His family confirmed the death in a statement, noting that Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family
on Sunday morning. The statement did not provide a cause of death or specify where he died.
Don Nelson, Hall of Fame NBA Coach and Celtics Star, Dies at 86
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described Nelson as a man who revolutionized NBA basketball through his fearlessness, ingenuity and deep conviction
, adding that his impact on the sport would be felt for generations.
A Championship Playing Career in Boston
Before his tenure on the sidelines, Nelson spent 11 of his 14 professional seasons with the Boston Celtics. During his time in Boston, he won five NBA championships under four different coaches. The Celtics organization highlighted his playing career, specifically citing a critical foul-line jumper in Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. The shot occurred with just over a minute remaining while the Celtics held a 103-102 lead, helping secure Boston’s 11th NBA title in 13 seasons.
In 1978, two years after his final season as a player, the Celtics honored Nelson by raising his number 19 to the rafters. Nelson later credited his playing days under Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach for his coaching philosophy, stating in 2016 in The Players’ Tribune that without Red Auerbach teaching me the mechanics of running the fast break, none of it would have been possible
.
Coaching Innovation and “Nellie Ball”
Nelson began his coaching career as an assistant in Milwaukee, taking over as head coach after Larry Costello resigned 18 games into the 1976-77 season. Over 11 seasons with the Bucks, he won seven straight division titles and reached the conference finals three times. He later served as head coach and general manager for the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors, becoming one of only two coaches in NBA history to record at least 250 wins with three different franchises.
Known as a basketball innovator, Nelson introduced the “point forward” and an up-tempo style of offense focused on speed and the fast break. He wrote that the league really hadn’t seen an offense like the one we were running
and attributed the credit for “Nellie Ball” to Red Auerbach. Current Warriors coach Steve Kerr called Nelson a true innovator whose influence on the game of basketball is still felt today
.
Nelson’s coaching milestones include:
- Three-time NBA Coach of the Year.
- 18 playoff appearances across 31 seasons.
- Retired as the NBA’s all-time winningest coach with 1,335 wins.
Impact on the Mavericks and Warriors
During his eight seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, Nelson worked alongside his son, Donnie, who joined him as an assistant coach in 1998. Together, they persuaded 20-year-old Dirk Nowitzki to join the Mavericks over European basketball. Nelson also developed Steve Nash into a top point guard before Nash won back-to-back MVPs in 2005 and 2006. Nowitzki later stated that he did not think his career could have turned out as it did without Nelson as his first coach.
He last coached the Warriors in 2010.
Personal Life and Health
Nelson’s career was occasionally interrupted by health challenges. In December 2000, he missed 21 games with the Mavericks to recover from prostate cancer surgery. He later stated that doctors found no sign the disease had spread. In February 1995, he resigned from his position under pressure after missing nine games due to illness, following a trade that had left him demoralized.
Nelson is survived by his wife, Joy, and his children.
Продолжение темы
