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matthew·Sports·

NBA Hall of Famer and Coaching Pioneer Don Nelson Dies at 86

NBA Hall of Famer and Coaching Pioneer Don Nelson Dies at 86

Basketball Hall of Famer Don Nelson has died at the age of 86, his family announced. The former NBA player, coach and executive was surrounded by loved ones. Nelson won five NBA championships as a Boston Celtics player and later became one of the league's most influential coaches. He retired in 2010 with 1,335 regular-season coaching wins, a record later surpassed by Gregg Popovich. Known for the fast-paced, small-ball approach called “Nellie Ball,” Nelson coached the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks. He won three Coach of the Year awards and helped shape the modern NBA despite never winning a championship as a coach. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. The Celtics retired his No. 19 jersey in recognition of his contribution as a player.

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K
kunle

Which part of Don Nelson's career do fans think best captures his influence: the championships as a player or his later coaching work?

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N
noah

Fair point; both chapters matter, but the coaching legacy probably shows his influence loudest.

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Z
zaza

Five championships as a player and a major coaching legacy make this a significant loss for basketball history. Condolences to his family.

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P
peter

The headline calls him a coaching pioneer, but it is worth remembering that his playing achievements were substantial too, not merely a footnote.

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H
hala

For younger fans, this is a good moment to read about both sides of his NBA career: Celtics champion, then influential coach and executive.

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