Don Nelson
3x NBA Coach of the Year | “Nellie Ball” Innovator | 1,335 Career Victories
Known for his “Nellie Ball” philosophy, Nelson was known to prioritize speed, spacing, and unconventional matchups over traditional positional roles. Nelson famously is credited for popularizing “small ball” and the “point forward” concept tactics that served as the blueprint for the modern, positionless NBA.
After a 14-season playing career that saw him win five championships with the Boston Celtics, where his #16 is retired, Nelson transitioned to the bench in 1976 with the Milwaukee Bucks under Larry Costello, later promoted to head coach. It was here that he first showcased his tactical brilliance, leading the Bucks to seven consecutive division titles in the 1980s. He later moved to the Golden State Warriors, where he orchestrated the high-octane “Run-TMC” era featuring Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin.
Nelson’s teams were consistently among the league leaders in scoring, often forsaking traditional defense in favor of outrunning and outshooting the opposition.
In 2010, Nelson became the winningest coach in NBA history (a record since surpassed by Gregg Popovich in 2022), retiring with 1,335 regular-season victories. Despite never winning an NBA title as a head coach, his impact was profound. He revitalized the Dallas Mavericks by developing Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash and later led the “We Believe” Warriors to one of the greatest upsets in team history, a 2007 first-round victory over the Western Conference 1st seed Mavericks.
Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012, Nelson’s career was a 31-year experiment in offensive creativity. He proved that an underdog team could dismantle a giant through sheer ingenuity, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential and daring minds the game has ever known.
- Overall Coaching Record: 1,335-1,063
Coaching Story
Coaching Career
Shortly after retiring from his 14-season playing career, Nelson became an assistant coach under Larry Costello. After a 3–15 start in the 1976–1977 season, Costello resigned on November 22, 1976.
In Nelson’s first full season as the head coach, he finished with a record of 44–38, qualifying for the playoffs, reaching the conference semifinals, but lost to the Denver Nuggets in 7 games.
In 1981, the Bucks finished with a 60–22 record, making it to the conference semifinals, but lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in 7 games.
The Bucks reached the conference finals 3 times, the furthest under Nelson. In 1983, they were eliminated by the 76ers in 5 games. The following season in 1984, they reached the conference finals again but lost this time to the Boston Celtics in 5 games. Finally, in 1986, but were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in 4 games.
Nelson won 2 Coach of the Year awards during his time with Milwaukee, one in 1983 and in 1985.
Notable Players Coached
- Bob Dandridge
- 2× NBA champion (1971, 1978)
- 4× NBA All-Star (1973, 1975, 1976, 1979)
- 1979 All-NBA Second Team
- 1979 NBA All-Defensive First Team
- 1970 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- No. 10 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
- Marques Johnson
- 5× NBA All-Star (1979–1981, 1983, 1986)
- 1979 All-NBA First Team
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (1980, 1981)
- 1986 NBA Comeback Player of the Year
- 1978 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- No. 8 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
- Brian Winters
- 2× NBA All-Star (1976, 1978)
- 1975 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- No. 32 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
- Junior Bridgeman (No. 2 retired by Milwaukee Bucks)
- Bob Lanier
- 8× NBA All-Star (1972–1975, 1977–1979, 1982)
- 1974 NBA All-Star Game MVP
- 1971 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- No. 16 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
- Dave Cowens
- 2× NBA champion (1974, 1976)
- 1973 NBA Most Valuable Player
- 8× NBA All-Star (1972–1978, 1980)
- 1973 NBA All-Star Game MVP
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (1973, 1975, 1976)
- 1976 NBA All-Defensive First Team
- 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1975, 1980)
- 1971 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1971 NBA All-Rookie Team
- 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team selections
- No. 18 retired by Boston Celtics
- Alex English
- 8× NBA All-Star (1982–1989)
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (1982, 1983, 1986)
- 1983 NBA scoring champion
- No. 2 retired by Denver Nuggets
- Nate Archibald
- 1981 NBA champion
- 6× NBA All-Star (1973, 1975, 1976, 1980–1982)
- 1981 NBA All-Star Game MVP
- 3× All-NBA First Team (1973, 1975, 1976)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (1972, 1981)
- 1973 NBA scoring champion
- 1973 NBA assists leader
- 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team selections
- Sidney Moncrief
- 5× NBA All-Star (1982–1986)
- 1983 All-NBA First Team
- 4× All-NBA Second Team (1982, 1984–1986)
- 2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1983, 1984)
- 4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1983–1986)
- 1982 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- No. 4 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
- Fred Carter (Future NBA coach)
- Quinn Buckner (Future NBA coach)
- Ernie Grunfeld (Future NBA General Manager)
Don Nelson was hired by the Golden State Warriors to become their new head coach, general manager, and team president. This era of Warriors basketball was known as the “Run-TMC” era featuring Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin.
In his first season, the team finished with a record of 43–39, 7th in the Western Conference, qualifying for the playoffs. They were eliminated in the semifinals by the Phoenix Suns in 5 games. The following season, the team finished with an overall record of 44–38, reaching the playoffs where they were eliminated in the semifinals by the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games.
The Warriors made the playoffs in 1992 but were eliminated in 4 games (3-1) against the Seattle SuperSonics. The next 3 seasons. Suns in 3 games.
On February 13, 1995, Nelson resigned from all of his positions with the Golden State Warriors.
Notable Players Coached
- Chris Mullin
- 5× NBA All-Star (1989–1993)
- 1992 All-NBA First Team
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (1989, 1991)
- 1990 All-NBA Third Team
- No. 17 retired by Golden State Warriors
- Manute Bol
- 1986 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- 2× NBA blocks leader (1986, 1989)
- Tim Hardaway
- 5× NBA All-Star (1991–1993, 1997, 1998)
- 1997 All-NBA First Team
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (1992, 1998, 1999)
- 1993 All-NBA Third Team
- 1990 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- 2006 ABA All Star-Game
- No. 10 retired by Miami Heat
- Chris Webber
- 5× NBA All-Star (1997, 2000–2003)
- 2001 All-NBA First Team
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (1999, 2002, 2003)
- 1994 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1994 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- 1999 NBA rebounding leader
- No. 4 retired by Sacramento Kings
- John Starks
- 1994 NBA All-Star
- 1993 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- 1997 NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- Latrell Sprewell
- 4× NBA All-Star (1994, 1995, 1997, 2001)
- 1994 All-NBA First Team
- 1994 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- Tyrone Hill (1995 NBA All-Star)
- Mario Elie (3× NBA champion (1994, 1995, 1999) & Future NBA coach)
In 1994, Nelson coached the Team USA national basketball team at the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto and led them to the gold medal.[41] The team was marketed as “Dream Team II”.[42][43]
Coached by Nelson, along with assistants Don Chaney, Pete Gillen, and Rick Majerus, Team USA had a roster of Derrick Coleman, Joe Dumars, Tim Hardaway (injured), Kevin Johnson, Larry Johnson, Shawn Kemp, Dan Majerle, Reggie Miller, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, Mark Price, Steve Smith, Isiah Thomas (injured), and Dominique Wilkins.[44]
USA went 8–0, defeating Spain 115–100, China 132–77, and Brazil 105–82. In the final round, the U.S. team defeated Australia 130–74, Puerto Rico 134–83, Russia 111–94, and Greece 97–58. In the gold medal game, Team USA defeated Russia 137–91.[44]
Nelson stated, “I really don’t know why they chose me, to tell you the truth. But I do know I always wanted to coach a U.S. national team. I didn’t really have any conversations with [the league or USA Basketball] in advance of them choosing me. But, heck, it was an honor. It was probably the top experience that I had as a coach. To stand up there and see your flag raised is a special thing.”[
Coach Nelson succeeded Pat Riley as the head coach of the New York Knicks. Halfway through the season, the Knicks had a record of 34-25, but he was fired and replaced by assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy.
Notable Players Coached
- Patrick Ewing
- 11× NBA All-Star (1986, 1988–1997)
- 1990 All-NBA First Team
- 6× All-NBA Second Team (1988, 1989, 1991–1993, 1997)
- 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1988, 1989, 1992)
- 1986 NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1986 NBA All-Rookie Team (1986)
- 50th & 75th NBA anniversary team selections
- No. 33 retired by New York Knicks
- Derek Harper
- 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1987, 1990)
- No. 12 retired by Dallas Mavericks
- John Starks
- 1994 NBA All-Star
- 1993 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- 1997 NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- Anthony Mason
- 2001 NBA All-Star
- 1997 All-NBA Third Team
- 1997 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- 1995 NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- Charles Oakley
- 1994 NBA All-Star
- 1994 NBA All-Defensive First Team
- 1998 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- 1986 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- Herb Williams (Future NBA & WNBA Coach)
Coach Nelson succeeded Jim Cleamons as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. In his first season, the Mavericks finished with a record of 19-31, a shortened season due to the 1997 lockout. The following season, the Mavericks improved their record to 40–42 but still missing the playoffs.
In 2001, the team finished with a 53–29 record, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 1990. They reached the conference semifinals but were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in 5 games. They reached the semifinals again the following season but were eliminated by the Sacramento Kings in 5 games.
The 2002-2003 season would bring the most success under Nelson, finishing the regular season with a record of 60–22 and made a deep playoff run to the conference finals, but lost in 6 games against the San Antonio Spurs.
In 2005, Nelson resigned during the season with the team’s record standing at 42–22. He was replaced by Avery Johnson who had joined the coaching staff that season as an assistant coach.
Notable Players Coached
- Dirk Nowitzki
- 2011 NBA champion
- 2011 NBA Finals MVP
- 2007 NBA Most Valuable Player
- 14× NBA All-Star (2002–2012, 2014, 2015, 2019)
- 4× All-NBA First Team (2005–2007, 2009)
- 5× All-NBA Second Team (2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011)
- 3× All-NBA Third Team (2001, 2004, 2012)
- 2006 NBA Three-Point Contest champion
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team selection
- No. 41 retired by Dallas Mavericks
- Steve Nash
- 2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2005, 2006)
- 8× NBA All-Star (2002, 2003, 2005–2008, 2010, 2012)
- 3× All-NBA First Team (2005–2007)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (2008, 2010)
- 2× All-NBA Third Team (2002, 2003)
- 5× NBA assists leader (2005–2007, 2010, 2011)
- No. 13 retired by Phoenix Suns
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team selection
- Shawn Bradley
- 1994 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
- 1997 NBA blocks leader
- 1991 NCAA blocks leader
- Cedric Ceballos
- 1995 NBA All-Star
- 1992 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion
- A.C. Green
- 3× NBA champion (1987, 1988, 2000)
- 1990 NBA All-Star
- 1989 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- Danny Manning
- 2× NBA All-Star (1993, 1994)
- 1998 NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- Michael Finley
- 2007 NBA champion
- 2× NBA All-Star (2000, 2001)
- Antoine Walker
- 2006 NBA champion
- 3× NBA All-Star (1998, 2002, 2003)
- 1997 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- Jerry Stackhouse (2× NBA All-Star (2000, 2001) & 1996 NBA All-Rookie First Team)
- Jason Terry
- 2011 NBA champion
- 2009 NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- 2000 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
- Darrell Armstrong
- 1999 NBA Most Improved Player
- 1999 NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- Antawn Jamison
- 2× NBA All-Star (2005, 2008)
- 2004 NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- 1999 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
- Avery Johnson
- 1999 NBA champion
- Future 2006 NBA Coach of the Year
- No. 6 retired by San Antonio Spurs
- Calvin Booth (Future Nuggets General Manager & 2023 champion)
- Adrian Griffin (Future 2019 NBA champion as an assistant coach)
- Popeye Jones (Future 2023 NBA champion as an assistant coach)
- Greg Buckner (Future NBA coach)
- Howard Eisley (Future NBA coach)
Coach Nelson succeeded Mike Montgomery as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors. In his first season, the team finished with a 42-40 record, qualifying for the playoffs. The Warriors defeated the 1st seed Dallas Mavericks who had a 67-15 record in the first round of the playoffs in 6 games. Proceeding to the semifinals, they were eliminated by the Utah Jazz in 5 games. The following season, despite improving their record to 48–34, this was 9th place in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs.
The Warriors would regress since Nelson’s first season and missed the playoffs 3 straight seasons in a row. After the 2009-2010 season, Nelson resigned, which ended up being his last coaching job before he officially retired.
Notable Players Coached
- Stephen Curry
- 4× NBA champion (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)
- 2022 NBA Finals MVP
- 2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2015, 2016)
- 12× NBA All-Star (2014–2019, 2021–2026)
- 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2022, 2025)
- 4× All-NBA First Team (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021)
- 5× All-NBA Second Team (2014, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2025)
- 2× All-NBA Third Team (2018, 2024)
- 2010 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- 2× NBA Three-Point Contest champion (2015, 2021)
- 2× NBA scoring champion (2016, 2021)
- 2016 NBA steals leader)
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team selection
- Monta Ellis (2007 NBA Most Improved Player)
- Jamal Crawford (3× NBA Sixth Man of the Year (2010, 2014, 2016)
- Stephen Jackson (2003 NBA champion)
- Baron Davis
- 2× NBA All-Star (2002, 2004)
- 2004 All-NBA Third Team
- 2× NBA steals leader (2004, 2007)
- Mike Dunleavy Jr. (Future Warriors General Manager)