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Don Nelson

Updated: Wikipedia source

Don Nelson

Donald Arvid Nelson (born May 15, 1940) is an American former professional basketball player and head coach. Nelson is second all-time in regular season wins of any coach in NBA history, with 1,335 (he held the record for most wins for almost 12 years before he was surpassed by Gregg Popovich in 2022). He coached the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors. After an All-American career at the University of Iowa, Nelson won five NBA championships playing with the Boston Celtics, with his number 19 retired by the franchise in 1978. His unique brand of basketball is often referred to as "Nellie Ball". A coaching innovator, Nelson is credited with, among other things, pioneering the concept of the point forward, a tactic which is frequently employed by teams at every level today. He was named one of the Top 10 coaches in NBA history. On April 7, 2010, Nelson passed Lenny Wilkens for first place on the all-time NBA wins list with his 1,333rd career win. His all-time record coaching record is 1,335–1,063 ( ). He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Infobox

1976
Milwaukee Bucks (assistant)
Born
(1940-05-15) May 15, 1940 Muskegon, Michigan, U .
Listed height
6 ft 6 in (1 m)
Listed weight
210 lb (95 kg)
High school
Rock Island (Rock Island, Illinois)
College
Iowa (1959–1962)
NBA draft
1962: 3rd round, 17th overall pick
Drafted by
Chicago Zephyrs
Playing career
1962–1976
Position
Small forward
Number
44, 20, 19
Coaching career
1976–2010
1962–1963
Chicago Zephyrs
1963–1965
Los Angeles Lakers
1965–1976
Boston Celtics
1976–1988
Milwaukee Bucks
1988–1995
Golden State Warriors
1995–1996
New York Knicks
1997–2005
Dallas Mavericks
2006–2010
Golden State Warriors
Points
10,898 (10 ppg)
Rebounds
5,192 (4 rpg)
Assists
1,526 (1 apg)
NBA
1335–1063 ( )
Head Coach for United States
Medals Head Coach for United States Representing United States FIBA World Championship 1994 Toronto Team competition

Tables

· NBA career statistics › Regular season
1962–63
1962–63
Year
1962–63
Team
Chicago
GP
62
MPG
17
FG%
440
FT%
729
RPG
4
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
6
1963–64
1963–64
Year
1963–64
Team
L . Lakers
GP
80
MPG
17
FG%
418
FT%
741
RPG
4
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
5
1964–65
1964–65
Year
1964–65
Team
L . Lakers
GP
39
MPG
6
FG%
424
FT%
769
RPG
1
APG
0
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
2
1965–66†
1965–66†
Year
1965–66†
Team
Boston
GP
75
MPG
23
FG%
439
FT%
684
RPG
5
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
10
1966–67
1966–67
Year
1966–67
Team
Boston
GP
79
MPG
15
FG%
446
FT%
742
RPG
3
APG
0
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
7
1967–68†
1967–68†
Year
1967–68†
Team
Boston
GP
82
MPG
18
FG%
494
FT%
728
RPG
5
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
10
1968–69†
1968–69†
Year
1968–69†
Team
Boston
GP
82
MPG
21
FG%
485
FT%
776
RPG
5
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
11
1969–70
1969–70
Year
1969–70
Team
Boston
GP
82
MPG
27
FG%
501
FT%
775
RPG
7
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
15
1970–71
1970–71
Year
1970–71
Team
Boston
GP
82
MPG
27
FG%
468
FT%
744
RPG
6
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
13
1971–72
1971–72
Year
1971–72
Team
Boston
GP
82
MPG
25
FG%
480
FT%
788
RPG
5
APG
2
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
13
1972–73
1972–73
Year
1972–73
Team
Boston
GP
72
MPG
19
FG%
476
FT%
846
RPG
4
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
10
1973–74†
1973–74†
Year
1973–74†
Team
Boston
GP
82
MPG
21
FG%
508
FT%
788
RPG
4
APG
2
STL
0
BLK
0
PPG
11
1974–75
1974–75
Year
1974–75
Team
Boston
GP
79
MPG
26
FG%
539*
FT%
827
RPG
5
APG
2
STL
0
BLK
0
PPG
14
1975–76†
1975–76†
Year
1975–76†
Team
Boston
GP
75
MPG
12
FG%
462
FT%
789
RPG
2
APG
1
STL
0
BLK
0
PPG
6
Career
Career
Year
Career
Team
1053
GP
20
MPG
480
FG%
765
FT%
4
RPG
1
APG
0
STL
0
BLK
10
Year
Team
GP
MPG
FG%
FT%
RPG
APG
STL
BLK
PPG
1962–63
Chicago
62
17
440
729
4
1
–
–
6
1963–64
L . Lakers
80
17
418
741
4
1
–
–
5
1964–65
L . Lakers
39
6
424
769
1
0
–
–
2
1965–66†
Boston
75
23
439
684
5
1
–
–
10
1966–67
Boston
79
15
446
742
3
0
–
–
7
1967–68†
Boston
82
18
494
728
5
1
–
–
10
1968–69†
Boston
82
21
485
776
5
1
–
–
11
1969–70
Boston
82
27
501
775
7
1
–
–
15
1970–71
Boston
82
27
468
744
6
1
–
–
13
1971–72
Boston
82
25
480
788
5
2
–
–
13
1972–73
Boston
72
19
476
846
4
1
–
–
10
1973–74†
Boston
82
21
508
788
4
2
0
0
11
1974–75
Boston
79
26
539*
827
5
2
0
0
14
1975–76†
Boston
75
12
462
789
2
1
0
0
6
Career
1053
20
480
765
4
1
0
0
10
· NBA career statistics › Playoffs
1964
1964
Year
1964
Team
L . Lakers
GP
5
MPG
11
FG%
538
FT%
1
RPG
2
APG
0
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
3
1965
1965
Year
1965
Team
L . Lakers
GP
11
MPG
19
FG%
453
FT%
760
RPG
5
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
6
1966†
1966†
Year
1966†
Team
Boston
GP
17
MPG
18
FG%
424
FT%
808
RPG
5
APG
0
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
8
1967
1967
Year
1967
Team
Boston
GP
9
MPG
15
FG%
458
FT%
588
RPG
4
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
7
1968†
1968†
Year
1968†
Team
Boston
GP
19
MPG
24
FG%
520
FT%
743
RPG
7
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
12
1969†
1969†
Year
1969†
Team
Boston
GP
18
MPG
19
FG%
518
FT%
833
RPG
4
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
12
1972
1972
Year
1972
Team
Boston
GP
11
MPG
28
FG%
525
FT%
854
RPG
5
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
13
1973
1973
Year
1973
Team
Boston
GP
13
MPG
23
FG%
465
FT%
875
RPG
2
APG
1
STL
–
BLK
–
PPG
11
1974†
1974†
Year
1974†
Team
Boston
GP
18
MPG
25
FG%
500
FT%
774
RPG
5
APG
1
STL
0
BLK
0
PPG
11
1975
1975
Year
1975
Team
Boston
GP
11
MPG
24
FG%
564
FT%
902
RPG
4
APG
2
STL
0
BLK
0
PPG
15
1976†
1976†
Year
1976†
Team
Boston
GP
18
MPG
17
FG%
481
FT%
870
RPG
2
APG
0
STL
0
BLK
0
PPG
9
Career
Career
Year
Career
Team
150
GP
21
MPG
498
FG%
817
FT%
4
RPG
1
APG
0
STL
0
BLK
10
Year
Team
GP
MPG
FG%
FT%
RPG
APG
STL
BLK
PPG
1964
L . Lakers
5
11
538
1
2
0
–
–
3
1965
L . Lakers
11
19
453
760
5
1
–
–
6
1966†
Boston
17
18
424
808
5
0
–
–
8
1967
Boston
9
15
458
588
4
1
–
–
7
1968†
Boston
19
24
520
743
7
1
–
–
12
1969†
Boston
18
19
518
833
4
1
–
–
12
1972
Boston
11
28
525
854
5
1
–
–
13
1973
Boston
13
23
465
875
2
1
–
–
11
1974†
Boston
18
25
500
774
5
1
0
0
11
1975
Boston
11
24
564
902
4
2
0
0
15
1976†
Boston
18
17
481
870
2
0
0
0
9
Career
150
21
498
817
4
1
0
0
10
· Head coaching record
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Team
Milwaukee
Year
1976–77
G
64
W
27
L
37
W–L%
422
Finish
6th in Midwest
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Missed Playoffs
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Team
Milwaukee
Year
1977–78
G
82
W
44
L
38
W–L%
537
Finish
2nd in Midwest
PG
9
PW
5
PL
4
PW–L%
556
Result
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Team
Milwaukee
Year
1978–79
G
82
W
38
L
44
W–L%
463
Finish
4th in Midwest
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Missed Playoffs
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Team
Milwaukee
Year
1979–80
G
82
W
49
L
33
W–L%
598
Finish
1st in Midwest
PG
7
PW
3
PL
4
PW–L%
429
Result
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Team
Milwaukee
Year
1980–81
G
82
W
60
L
22
W–L%
732
Finish
1st in Central
PG
7
PW
3
PL
4
PW–L%
429
Result
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Team
Milwaukee
Year
1981–82
G
82
W
55
L
27
W–L%
671
Finish
1st in Central
PG
6
PW
2
PL
4
PW–L%
333
Result
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Team
Milwaukee
Year
1982–83
G
82
W
51
L
31
W–L%
622
Finish
1st in Central
PG
9
PW
5
PL
4
PW–L%
556
Result
Lost in Conf. Finals
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Team
Milwaukee
Year
1983–84
G
82
W
50
L
32
W–L%
610
Finish
1st in Central
PG
16
PW
8
PL
8
PW–L%
500
Result
Lost in Conf. Finals
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Team
Milwaukee
Year
1984–85
G
82
W
59
L
23
W–L%
720
Finish
1st in Central
PG
8
PW
3
PL
5
PW–L%
375
Result
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Team
Milwaukee
Year
1985–86
G
82
W
57
L
25
W–L%
695
Finish
1st in Central
PG
14
PW
7
PL
7
PW–L%
500
Result
Lost in Conf. Finals
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Team
Milwaukee
Year
1986–87
G
82
W
50
L
32
W–L%
610
Finish
3rd in Central
PG
12
PW
6
PL
6
PW–L%
500
Result
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State
Golden State
Team
Golden State
Year
1988–89
G
82
W
43
L
39
W–L%
524
Finish
4th in Pacific
PG
8
PW
4
PL
4
PW–L%
500
Result
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State
Golden State
Team
Golden State
Year
1989–90
G
82
W
37
L
45
W–L%
451
Finish
5th in Pacific
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Missed Playoffs
Golden State
Golden State
Team
Golden State
Year
1990–91
G
82
W
44
L
38
W–L%
537
Finish
4th in Pacific
PG
9
PW
4
PL
5
PW–L%
444
Result
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State
Golden State
Team
Golden State
Year
1991–92
G
82
W
55
L
27
W–L%
671
Finish
2nd in Pacific
PG
4
PW
1
PL
3
PW–L%
250
Result
Lost in First Round
Golden State
Golden State
Team
Golden State
Year
1992–93
G
82
W
34
L
48
W–L%
415
Finish
6th in Pacific
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Missed Playoffs
Golden State
Golden State
Team
Golden State
Year
1993–94
G
82
W
50
L
32
W–L%
610
Finish
3rd in Pacific
PG
3
PW
0
PL
3
PW–L%
000
Result
Lost in First Round
Golden State
Golden State
Team
Golden State
Year
1994–95
G
45
W
14
L
31
W–L%
311
Finish
(resigned)
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
—
New York
New York
Team
New York
Year
1995–96
G
59
W
34
L
25
W–L%
576
Finish
(fired)
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
—
Dallas
Dallas
Team
Dallas
Year
1997–98
G
66
W
16
L
50
W–L%
242
Finish
5th in Midwest
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Missed Playoffs
Dallas
Dallas
Team
Dallas
Year
1998–99
G
50
W
19
L
31
W–L%
380
Finish
5th in Midwest
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Missed Playoffs
Dallas
Dallas
Team
Dallas
Year
1999–00
G
82
W
40
L
42
W–L%
488
Finish
4th in Midwest
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Missed Playoffs
Dallas
Dallas
Team
Dallas
Year
2000–01
G
82
W
53
L
29
W–L%
646
Finish
2nd in Midwest
PG
10
PW
4
PL
6
PW–L%
400
Result
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Dallas
Dallas
Team
Dallas
Year
2001–02
G
82
W
57
L
25
W–L%
695
Finish
2nd in Midwest
PG
8
PW
4
PL
4
PW–L%
500
Result
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Dallas
Dallas
Team
Dallas
Year
2002–03
G
82
W
60
L
22
W–L%
732
Finish
1st in Midwest
PG
20
PW
10
PL
10
PW–L%
500
Result
Lost in Conf. Finals
Dallas
Dallas
Team
Dallas
Year
2003–04
G
82
W
52
L
30
W–L%
634
Finish
3rd in Midwest
PG
5
PW
1
PL
4
PW–L%
200
Result
Lost in First Round
Dallas
Dallas
Team
Dallas
Year
2004–05
G
64
W
42
L
22
W–L%
656
Finish
(resigned)
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
—
Golden State
Golden State
Team
Golden State
Year
2006–07
G
82
W
42
L
40
W–L%
512
Finish
3rd in Pacific
PG
11
PW
5
PL
6
PW–L%
455
Result
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State
Golden State
Team
Golden State
Year
2007–08
G
82
W
48
L
34
W–L%
585
Finish
3rd in Pacific
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Missed Playoffs
Golden State
Golden State
Team
Golden State
Year
2008–09
G
82
W
29
L
53
W–L%
354
Finish
3rd in Pacific
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Missed Playoffs
Golden State
Golden State
Team
Golden State
Year
2009–10
G
82
W
26
L
56
W–L%
317
Finish
4th in Pacific
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Missed Playoffs
Career
Career
Team
Career
G
2,398
W
1,335
L
1,063
W–L%
557
PG
166
PW
75
PL
91
PW–L%
452
Team
Year
G
W
L
W–L%
Finish
PG
PW
PL
PW–L%
Result
Milwaukee
1976–77
64
27
37
422
6th in Midwest
—
—
—
—
Missed Playoffs
Milwaukee
1977–78
82
44
38
537
2nd in Midwest
9
5
4
556
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee
1978–79
82
38
44
463
4th in Midwest
—
—
—
—
Missed Playoffs
Milwaukee
1979–80
82
49
33
598
1st in Midwest
7
3
4
429
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee
1980–81
82
60
22
732
1st in Central
7
3
4
429
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee
1981–82
82
55
27
671
1st in Central
6
2
4
333
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee
1982–83
82
51
31
622
1st in Central
9
5
4
556
Lost in Conf. Finals
Milwaukee
1983–84
82
50
32
610
1st in Central
16
8
8
500
Lost in Conf. Finals
Milwaukee
1984–85
82
59
23
720
1st in Central
8
3
5
375
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Milwaukee
1985–86
82
57
25
695
1st in Central
14
7
7
500
Lost in Conf. Finals
Milwaukee
1986–87
82
50
32
610
3rd in Central
12
6
6
500
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State
1988–89
82
43
39
524
4th in Pacific
8
4
4
500
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State
1989–90
82
37
45
451
5th in Pacific
—
—
—
—
Missed Playoffs
Golden State
1990–91
82
44
38
537
4th in Pacific
9
4
5
444
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State
1991–92
82
55
27
671
2nd in Pacific
4
1
3
250
Lost in First Round
Golden State
1992–93
82
34
48
415
6th in Pacific
—
—
—
—
Missed Playoffs
Golden State
1993–94
82
50
32
610
3rd in Pacific
3
0
3
000
Lost in First Round
Golden State
1994–95
45
14
31
311
(resigned)
—
—
—
—
—
New York
1995–96
59
34
25
576
(fired)
—
—
—
—
—
Dallas
1997–98
66
16
50
242
5th in Midwest
—
—
—
—
Missed Playoffs
Dallas
1998–99
50
19
31
380
5th in Midwest
—
—
—
—
Missed Playoffs
Dallas
1999–00
82
40
42
488
4th in Midwest
—
—
—
—
Missed Playoffs
Dallas
2000–01
82
53
29
646
2nd in Midwest
10
4
6
400
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Dallas
2001–02
82
57
25
695
2nd in Midwest
8
4
4
500
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Dallas
2002–03
82
60
22
732
1st in Midwest
20
10
10
500
Lost in Conf. Finals
Dallas
2003–04
82
52
30
634
3rd in Midwest
5
1
4
200
Lost in First Round
Dallas
2004–05
64
42
22
656
(resigned)
—
—
—
—
—
Golden State
2006–07
82
42
40
512
3rd in Pacific
11
5
6
455
Lost in Conf. Semifinals
Golden State
2007–08
82
48
34
585
3rd in Pacific
—
—
—
—
Missed Playoffs
Golden State
2008–09
82
29
53
354
3rd in Pacific
—
—
—
—
Missed Playoffs
Golden State
2009–10
82
26
56
317
4th in Pacific
—
—
—
—
Missed Playoffs
Career
2,398
1,335
1,063
557
166
75
91
452

References

  1. Basketball-Reference
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nelsodo01.html
  2. "Nelson sets NBA career victories mark in Warriors' defeat of Wolves'". Associated Press. April 7, 2010.
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100411224726/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300407016
  3. www
    http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/don-nelson/
  4. "Trying season makes Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson feels even older at 69"
    https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/02/10/trying-season-makes-golden-state-warriors-coach-don-nelson-feels-even-older-at-69/
  5. 03/02/2003, BRAD TOWNSEND, The Dallas Morning News
  6. The Quad-City Times
    https://qctimes.com/sports/basketball/rock-island-grad-nelson-surprises-old-friends-with-nba-record/article_c979b702-41f9-11df-9e4a-001cc4c03286.html
  7. "Rocky's Nelson to get Iowa degree after 50 years"
    https://qctimes.com/sports/basketball/college/big-10/iowa/rocky-s-nelson-to-get-iowa-degree-after-years/article_b80896ba-9732-11e1-995c-0019bb2963f4.html
  8. The Quad-City Times
    https://qctimes.com/don-nelson-s-basketball-career-highlights/article_8274d9f2-9735-11e1-b591-0019bb2963f4.html
  9. athletics
    https://athletics.rimsd41.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=858090&type=d&pREC_ID=1221398
  10. data
    http://data.desmoinesregister.com/hall-of-fame/single.php?id=469
  11. College Basketball at Sports-Reference
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/iowa/1960.html
  12. ESPN
    https://www.espn.com/classic/000707hawkins.html
  13. College Basketball at Sports-Reference
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/iowa/1961.html
  14. College Basketball at Sports-Reference
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/iowa/1962.html
  15. The Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.com/2012/05/11/nba-legend-don-nelsons-50-year-quest-for-iowa-diploma-ends-saturday
  16. College Basketball at Sports-Reference
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/don-nelson-1.html
  17. Basketball-Reference
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHZ/1963.html
  18. Basketball-Reference
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nelsodo01.html
  19. Basketball-Reference
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1964-nba-western-division-semifinals-lakers-vs-hawks.html
  20. Basketball-Reference
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1964.html
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