Basketball Community Remembers Don Nelson: A Legendary Player and Coach

Don Nelson, a prominent figure in basketball history, has passed away, leaving a significant void in the sport. Drafted by the Chicago Zephyrs in 1962, he later joined the Los Angeles Lakers and spent the majority of his career with the Boston Celtics, where he secured five championship titles and had his number 19 retired.

After retiring as a player, Nelson transitioned to coaching, starting as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks before taking on the head coaching role. Over a span of thirty-one seasons, he became the second-winningest coach in NBA history, only behind Gregg Popovich, and coached the second most games in league history.

Nelson's coaching accolades include being named NBA Coach of the Year three times and leading the All-Star Game as head coach on two occasions. He is also credited with developing the infamous "Hack-A-Shaq" strategy during his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks.

His legacy as both a player and coach will continue to resonate in the basketball community, ensuring that his contributions to the game are remembered for years to come.