OKLAHOMA CITY — Don Nelson has been invited to the NBA Finals numerous instances in recent times, at all times declining these alternatives.
This time, his friends discovered a manner to make sure he could not say no.
Nelson — a Basketball Corridor of Famer and three-time NBA coach of the 12 months — was introduced Sunday as this 12 months’s recipient of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, offered by the Nationwide Basketball Coaches Affiliation. It will likely be formally given out Sunday evening, about an hour earlier than Sport 2 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
“Historical past has already mirrored Don Nelson’s staggering contributions as a cutting-edge innovator and visionary of the NBA recreation,” stated Pacers coach and NBCA president Rick Carlisle. “Again within the ’80s and ’90s, he made groups regulate to historic tempo, liberal 3-point taking pictures, inverted offense and disruptive defensive schemes. All this whereas establishing himself as some of the compelling personalities in all {of professional} sports activities.”
Nelson, 85, retired in 2010 because the NBA’s all-time teaching wins chief with 1,335, simply forward of Lenny Wilkens’ 1,332. Nelson stored that prime spot for almost 12 years earlier than now-retired San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich handed him in March 2022.
Nelson is one in every of solely two coaches in NBA historical past to have not less than 250 wins with three completely different franchises. He bought to that mark with Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State, and in addition coached New York briefly in his profession.
Nelson and Daly had been shut associates. They went head-to-head 41 instances as coaches: Nelson’s groups went 21-20 in these video games.
“Chuck was an absolute genius in all sides of the sport and life,” Nelson stated. “I am glad I had the chance to educate towards him, be taught from him and profit from his data. To say that I am deeply touched to obtain an award that bears his identify could be an understatement. That is particular.”
Nelson took groups to the playoffs 18 instances as a coach and gained 5 championships as a participant with the Boston Celtics. He began teaching in 1976, and what turned generally known as “Nellie Ball” quickly created a buzz, with him being usually credited for introducing what’s now generally known as the purpose ahead.
His up-tempo offensive methods had been in all probability finest on show with Golden State within the “Run TMC” period that includes Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin.
The award is in Daly’s reminiscence and celebrates his “integrity, aggressive excellence, and tireless promotion of NBA basketball.”
Prior recipients are Rudy Tomjanovich (2024), Rick Adelman (2023), Mike Fratello (2022), Larry Brown (2021), Del Harris (2020), Frank Layden (2019), Doug Moe (2018), Al Attles and Hubie Brown (2017), Okay.C. Jones and Jerry Sloan (2016), Dick Motta (2015), Bernie Bickerstaff (2014), Invoice Fitch (2013), Pat Riley (2012), Lenny Wilkens (2011), Jack Ramsay and Tex Winter (2010) and Tommy Heinsohn (2009).
