Don Nelson, the iconic coach known for his revolutionary approach to basketball, passed away on Sunday at the age of 86. His innovative fast-paced style, famously dubbed “Nellie Ball,” not only revitalized the Dallas Mavericks but also helped redefine the modern NBA.
Nelson’s death was confirmed by the Golden State Warriors, one of three teams he coached during his illustrious career, which earned him a place in the Hall of Fame. He had a profound impact on the Mavericks, particularly during his tenure as both head coach and general manager, where he was instrumental in acquiring key players like Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, transforming Dallas into a formidable contender in the Western Conference.
Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont expressed deep sorrow over Nelson’s passing, stating, “Don Nelson was a true original whose impact on the Dallas Mavericks and the game of basketball will endure for generations. Nellie’s innovative spirit and belief in doing things differently established a winning culture in Dallas. His influence is evident throughout Mavericks history and across the NBA today.” Dumont extended condolences to Nelson’s family, friends, former players, and coaches, acknowledging the profound effect he had on so many lives.
Although Nelson enjoyed great success as a player, winning five NBA championships with the Boston Celtics, it was his eight seasons in Dallas starting in 1997 that laid the foundation for the franchise’s most successful period. He embraced an unconventional, high-octane style of play that moved the league away from traditional center-dominated strategies, focusing instead on pace, space, and perimeter shooting.
In Dallas, Nelson worked closely with his son, Donnie Nelson, who joined the coaching staff in 1998. Together, they made a pivotal decision by persuading Nowitzki, a young German talent, to join the Mavericks instead of pursuing a career in Europe. Under Nelson’s guidance, Nowitzki blossomed into a generational superstar, while Steve Nash also thrived under his mentorship, eventually earning back-to-back MVP awards with the Phoenix Suns.
With a potent offense led by Nowitzki, Nash, and Michael Finley, Nelson’s Mavericks became a high-scoring powerhouse, reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2003. His time in Dallas was not without its challenges, as he took a leave of absence during the 2000-01 season to recover from prostate cancer surgery.
Nelson’s remarkable coaching career spanned 31 seasons and 18 playoff appearances, making him one of only two coaches in NBA history to achieve at least 250 wins with three different franchises—Milwaukee, Dallas, and Golden State. He was a three-time NBA Coach of the Year and is credited with introducing the “point forward” concept during his tenure in Milwaukee, as well as popularizing the “Run TMC” era with the Warriors in the early 1990s. After a brief period with the New York Knicks, he arrived in Dallas with the intent of rebuilding the franchise.
Ironically, Nelson’s coaching journey came full circle when he faced his former team upon returning to Golden State, where his eighth-seeded Warriors pulled off a shocking upset against Nowitzki and the top-seeded Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 playoffs—one of the most remarkable upsets in NBA history. In his final season as head coach in 2009-10, he mentored a rookie named Stephen Curry, who would go on to become one of the league’s greatest players.
Nelson retired as the NBA’s all-time leader in coaching victories with 1,335 wins, a record he held for nearly 12 years until it was surpassed by his close friend Gregg Popovich in March 2022.
