Legendary NBA coach Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in league historical past, has died. He was 86.
“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving household,” the previous NBA coach’s household mentioned in a Sunday, August 9, assertion, per ESPN. “All through his final week, family and friends encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured recollections.”
A reason for demise has not been publicly revealed on the time of publication.
Nelson received 5 NBA titles in his 11 seasons enjoying for the Boston Celtics earlier than he went on to educate 31 seasons within the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks.
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The Celtics retired the previous coach’s No. 19 jersey in 1978. (Nelson spent 14 complete seasons within the NBA as a participant.)
“The Celtics prolong our deepest condolences to Nelson’s household, family members, and everybody he touches by his wealthy and impactful life in basketball past,” the Celtics group mentioned in an announcement within the wake of Nelson’s demise, per ESPN.
Don Nelson Getty Pictures
Throughout his time as a NBA coach Nelson made 18 playoff appearances, ending with an total postseason file of 75-91. He retired because the winningest coach in NBA historical past in 2010 — a file finally damaged by San Antonio Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich in March 2022.
“Don Nelson was a real innovator whose affect on the sport of basketball continues to be felt right now,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr mentioned in a Sunday assertion. “He constantly challenged standard considering, experimented with totally different lineups and types of play and noticed potentialities within the recreation that others usually didn’t. A lot of what’s now commonplace in fashionable NBA will be traced again to the best way Nellie approached the sport.”
A part of the late coach’s distinctive strategy to skilled basketball was his capacity to make the most of gamers thought of to be conventionally small for the league, making a extra fast-paced offense that allowed for strategic mismatches on the court docket. His model was later dubbed “Nellie Ball” — a philosophy that has since spanned not solely the NBA however collegiate and highschool basketball packages the world over.
“Nellie was forward of his time and there was no person else like him,” Corridor of Famer Tim Hardaway mentioned in an announcement, per ESPN. “He had an unbelievable influence on my profession and on the sport of basketball. I’m going to overlook him, and my ideas and prayers with Pleasure, Donnie and your entire Nelson household.”
A number of gamers additionally paid their respects to the legendary coach within the wake of his demise, together with stars Dirk Nowitzki and Stephen Curry.
“One of many large causes I used to be drafted by the Warriors was due to Dan Nelson,” Curry mentioned in an announcement on Sunday, per ESPN. “The story is he by no means appreciated rookies, however from Day 1 he challenged me and gave me a possibility to be my greatest self on the court docket. He taught me lots throughout our one season collectively and I’ll always remember the evening he turned the winningest coach in NBA historical past in Minnesota. We have been so completely happy for him.”
Curry continued, “He had an immeasurable influence on the game and can go down as one of many biggest minds within the historical past of the sport. He’s a real icon and will likely be missed by the numerous variety of folks he touched, together with myself, throughout a legendary profession.”
Nelson is survived by his spouse, Pleasure Wolfgram, his 4 youngsters from his first marriage to Sharon Strombeck, two stepsons, his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
