A true innovator who changed the game forever.
Don Nelson, the revolutionary coach and five-time NBA champion as a player, passed away peacefully on Sunday at the age of 86, surrounded by his loving family.
The man affectionately known as “Nellie” leaves behind a towering legacy that fundamentally reshaped how basketball is played.
As the second-winningest coach in league history with 1,335 victories, Nelson introduced the “point forward” position and pioneered the blistering up-tempo “Nellie Ball” style that paved the way for today’s fast-paced game.
He credited Celtics legend Red Auerbach for laying the foundation, but Nelson’s genius was in his fearless experimentation. From the “Run TMC” era in Golden State to the “We Believe” Warriors’ stunning 2007 upset of the top-seeded Mavericks, his teams played with an audacious spirit.
He mentored legends like Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and a young Stephen Curry, who credited Nelson for challenging him from day one.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, Nelson’s influence echoes through every possession of modern basketball.
He was truly one of a kind.
