Jun 8, 2025; Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma, USA; former common supervisor Don Nelson speaks to the media earlier than recreation two between the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and the Indiana Pacers within the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Middle. Necessary Credit score: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Pictures
Basketball Corridor of Famer Don Nelson was introduced with a lifetime achievement award Sunday night time after which trashed one in every of his former franchises for buying and selling Luka Doncic.
Nelson performed 14 NBA seasons from 1962-76, ranks second in NBA historical past with 1,335 regular-season teaching victories over 31 seasons and guided his groups to 18 playoff appearances earlier than retiring in 2010. He held the victories report till Gregg Popovich handed him in 2022.
These accomplishments helped the 85-year-old get introduced with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday night time in Oklahoma Metropolis. The award is given out by the Nationwide Basketball Coaches Affiliation.
“Historical past has already mirrored Don Nelson’s staggering contributions as a cutting-edge innovator and visionary of the NBA recreation,” Indiana Pacers coach and NBCA president Rick Carlisle stated in a information launch. “Again within the ’80s and ’90s, he made groups alter to historic tempo, liberal 3-point taking pictures, inverted offense and disruptive defensive schemes. All this whereas establishing himself as one of the vital compelling personalities in all {of professional} sports activities.”
Nelson had greater than the award on his thoughts. One in every of his former groups, the Dallas Mavericks, made the extremely criticized transfer of Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers previous to the buying and selling deadline.
The commerce upset Nelson and he picked his footwear to honor Doncic, who almost single-handedly led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals.
“As a matter of truth, I need all people to know I am carrying Luka’s sneakers, his new sneakers from Nike that simply acquired in the marketplace,” Nelson stated throughout a press convention earlier than Recreation 2 of the NBA Finals. “I am carrying them in protest for the commerce from Dallas. Super mistake by the Dallas franchise to commerce him, and I need all people to know that.”
Nelson stated his philosophy on star gamers was one thing that was developed throughout his enjoying profession. He received 5 NBA titles whereas watching how Corridor of Famer Purple Auerbach put collectively and stored collectively the star-studded Boston Celtics, who had been led by five-time MVP Invoice Russell and 13-time All-Star John Havlicek.
“His philosophy was when you will have an awesome participant — Invoice Russell, Havlicek, Sam Jones, you identify ’em — you do not lose that participant,” Nelson stated. “You retain him for a lifetime. You place his quantity up, and also you honor that participant. That is been my philosophy.”
Nelson coached the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors for 11 seasons apiece. After a 59-game stint with the New York Knicks by which he was fired in 1995-96, Nelson was coach and common supervisor of the Mavericks from 1997-2005. He later coached the Warriors for one more 4 seasons.
Accolades apart, Nelson was honored to earn an honor named after the late Daly, who received back-to-back NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons in 1988-89 and 1989-90.
“Chuck was an absolute genius in all aspects of the sport and life,” Nelson stated. “I am glad I had the chance to educate in opposition to him, be taught from him and profit from his information. To say that I am deeply touched to obtain an award that bears his identify can be an understatement. That is particular.”
–Area Degree Media