Don Nelson, one of the most iconic figures in NBA history, passed away on Sunday at the age of 86. The Hall of Famer left his mark both as a player and as a coach, having won five NBA championships as a player and been named Coach of the Year three times.
The news of his death was announced by his family, who stated that Nelson “passed away peacefully to be with the Lord,” surrounded by his loved ones. His family added that in his final days, friends and relatives had gathered around him, sharing fond memories with him.
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Nelson won five championships with the Boston Celtics as a player, and went on to become one of the most influential coaches in the history of American basketball. As a head coach, he worked for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Golden State Warriors, the New York Knicks, and the Dallas Mavericks, among others.
During his coaching career, he recorded 1,335 wins, a total that ranks him second all-time in NBA history, behind only Gregg Popovich. He also won the Coach of the Year award three times, in 1983, 1985, and 1992.
Nelson spent much of his career with the Warriors, and his final coaching stint concluded with Golden State during the 2009–10 season, which was also Steph Curry’s rookie year.
In 2012, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, capping off an extraordinary career in the sport. His legacy, however, extends beyond titles and victories, as he is considered one of the coaches who significantly contributed to the evolution of modern basketball.
*photo source: AP
