Don Nelson, a five-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics as a player and a renowned coach in the league’s history, passed away at 86. His family confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement, expressing how Nelson peacefully departed surrounded by loved ones. During his final days, he was enveloped in the warmth of friends and family who cherished their memories with him.
Although the cause of death wasn’t disclosed, reports from The Dallas Morning News suggested that Nelson suffered a stroke about three weeks before.
As the creator of ‘Nellie Ball,’ Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 as a coach. He secured 1,335 career regular-season wins, surpassed only by Gregg Popovich’s total of 1,390 wins in the league.
Coaching Career
Nelson started coaching as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1976. He became known for employing a fast-paced offensive strategy and utilizing smaller, athletic players to create mismatches on the court. This innovative approach is commonly used by many NBA teams today. Nelson’s coaching prowess earned him a spot on the NBA’s list of top coaches in both 1996 and 2021.
Nelson set a record for regular-season coaching wins with his 1,333rd victory on April 7, 2010, passing Lenny Wilkens. He ended his coaching career with a 1,335-1,063 record, a .556 win percentage.
Over 31 seasons, Nelson served as head coach for four franchises. He spent 11 seasons each with the Milwaukee Bucks (540-344) and Golden State Warriors (422-443), along with eight seasons at the Dallas Mavericks (339-251), and a single season with the New York Knicks in 1995-1996, where he was replaced mid-season.
During his eight-year tenure with the Mavericks, Nelson played a critical role in acquiring Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, two of the franchise’s key players in the late 1990s and early 2000s. These moves helped shape Dallas into a high-scoring team that reached the Western Conference finals in 2003. Nelson concluded his time with the Mavericks with a 339-251 record.
Impact on the Game
Though Nelson never secured an NBA championship as a coach, he made 18 playoff appearances, holding a 75-91 career postseason record. The Golden State Warriors acknowledged Nelson, stating, ‘Nellie left an indelible mark on our franchise with his approach to the game.’
Nelson’s teams contributed significantly to memorable moments in the Warriors’ history, captivating basketball fans in the Bay Area.
Playing Career
Nelson’s NBA success began with the Boston Celtics, where he contributed to the team’s five championships over an 11-year period. In his Celtics career, he averaged 11.1 points on 50% shooting and 4.8 rebounds in 134 playoff games.
Among 26 players who have won at least five NBA championships, 11 were Nelson’s teammates in Boston. The Celtics retired Nelson’s No. 19 jersey in 1978 to honor his contributions.
Originally signed by the Celtics in 1965, Nelson quickly adapted to the team’s system. Playing for coach Red Auerbach, Nelson helped secure the 1965-66 championship with averages of 10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds. He often played as a sixth man alongside Celtics legends like Bill Russell and John Havlicek.
Early Life and Legacy
Don Nelson was born on May 15, 1940, in Muskegon, Michigan, and played college basketball at Iowa from 1959 to 1962. He entered the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989.
This story reflects Nelson’s enduring impact on basketball, spotlighting his unique legacy as both a player and coach.
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