Warriors: Don Nelson

[littleavery1948]

I was watching early Dirk and Steph highlights, and in every video, there was at least one shot of Nellie. I know Spurfan hates Nellie, but Don Nelson is one of my favorite coaches of all-time; although he never won a championship, his teams were often very compe ive, even without true stars in a star driven league. The Warriors success is largely due to Nellie. I've met Don Nelson a few times; he is a very large man, and can be intimidating with his gruffy voice. He and I are actually VERY similar in personality (obviously, he's done a lot more, as he is 45+ years older than I am, and he is well-known, and I am, well, not); we are both INTJ's (for those familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality). Each time, we have had conversations that were often not basketball related (although we had some basketball related discussion; I would pick his brain).

Anyway, I always loved his innovation, and the subtle moves that he would make to mess with other teams and coaches. He always challenged the status quo; he never settled. He was always striving to get better and to keep learning. I was always thinking "what's he gonna do next"? He would piss off Joey Crawford (does 2003 Game 2 ring a bell?), that merely staring at him would draw a technical. After my Lakers were eliminated in 2003 by Spurs (on Don Nelson's birthday, no less) I wanted Nellie to get his championship. He challenged authority; he went to places that others didn't dare go to. Who wouldn't like that. I wanted him to come to LA when Phil left the first time. However, I knew that Nellie and Kobe would not mesh together (which is likely why he didn't have stars - he drafted Dirk, acquired Nash early, and traded for Finley after his rookie year). Nellie always knew that work was the easy part, but relating to players was far more difficult (Chris Webber, Latrell Sprewell, and others). He was often harsh on players, and was not shy about trading players away. He made great moves, and sometimes, he would overthink and make terrible ones. He demanded excellence; however, he also allowed creative freedom; he actually REQUIRED it. Dirk credits Nelson for allowing him to grow freely. On the negative side, players were merely viewed as chess pieces. He would butt heads with authority, and extremely dry in his humor. Always loved Don Nelson. Would have liked to see some more D, but all-in-all, he was a legend. He has revolutionized the coaching aspects of basketball; Nellie ball is due much credit for what the Warriors are doing.

Thoughts?

[The Reckoning]

reminds me of the time me and the Admiral hung out at the local carwash and contemplated life

[Killakobe81]

I was watching early Dirk and Steph highlights, and in every video, there was at least one shot of Nellie. I know Spurfan hates Nellie, but Don Nelson is one of my favorite coaches of all-time; although he never won a championship, his teams were often very compe ive, even without true stars in a star driven league. The Warriors success is largely due to Nellie. I've met Don Nelson a few times; he is a very large man, and can be intimidating with his gruffy voice. He and I are actually VERY similar in personality (obviously, he's done a lot more, as he is 45+ years older than I am, and he is well-known, and I am, well, not); we are both INTJ's (for those familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality). Each time, we have had conversations that were often not basketball related (although we had some basketball related discussion; I would pick his brain).

Anyway, I always loved his innovation, and the subtle moves that he would make to mess with other teams and coaches. He always challenged the status quo; he never settled. He was always striving to get better and to keep learning. I was always thinking "what's he gonna do next"? He would piss off Joey Crawford (does 2003 Game 2 ring a bell?), that merely staring at him would draw a technical. After my Lakers were eliminated in 2003 by Spurs (on Don Nelson's birthday, no less) I wanted Nellie to get his championship. He challenged authority; he went to places that others didn't dare go to. Who wouldn't like that. I wanted him to come to LA when Phil left the first time. However, I knew that Nellie and Kobe would not mesh together (which is likely why he didn't have stars - he drafted Dirk, acquired Nash early, and traded for Finley after his rookie year). Nellie always knew that work was the easy part, but relating to players was far more difficult (Chris Webber, Latrell Sprewell, and others). He was often harsh on players, and was not shy about trading players away. He made great moves, and sometimes, he would overthink and make terrible ones. He demanded excellence; however, he also allowed creative freedom; he actually REQUIRED it. Dirk credits Nelson for allowing him to grow freely. On the negative side, players were merely viewed as chess pieces. He would butt heads with authority, and extremely dry in his humor. Always loved Don Nelson. Would have liked to see some more D, but all-in-all, he was a legend. He has revolutionized the coaching aspects of basketball; Nellie ball is due much credit for what the Warriors are doing.

Thoughts?

Ahead of his time tbh ...but a drunkard.

[AlexJones]

the true GOAT and the reason the Mavs became relevant, not Mark got Cuban

[Kawhitstorm]

the true GOAT and the reason the Mavs became relevant, not Mark got Cuban

I think that was put to bed in 2007

[313]

reminds me of the time me and the Admiral hung out at the local carwash and contemplated life

That's funny. That reminds me of the time I ran into Kawhi at the local grocery store and he denied my daughter his autograph.