By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Hall of Famer Don Nelson, three-time NBA Coach of the Year and five-time champion as a player with the Boston Celtics, has died at age 86.
Nelson is the second-winningest coach in NBA history. Nelson has coached very good teams such as the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks. Nelson coached and saw the growth of Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and Michael Finley. With this young core, the Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of the 2001 NBA Playoffs in the first round.
We can’t forget about the 2007 Warriors team. Nelson led the Warriors to take down his former team, the Mavericks, who were the No. 1 seed that season, in six games in the first round. Warriors had Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, Baron Davis, and many more players who were mentally tough and had an unwavering belief in themselves.
Nelson had the privilege to coach other players such as Tim Hardaway, Chris Webber, Chris Mullin and Latrell Sprewell. Many talented players played and learned from Nelson’s leadership. Nelson was very competitive and one of the most successful individuals in the sport.
As a player, he was an effective sixth man for the championship seasons with the Celtics. It was a privilege for him to play alongside teammates Bill Russell, Sam Jones, KC Jones and Satch Sanders. It was also during his time in Boston that he got to share the court with Paul Westphal, Paul Silas and Don Chaney.
Living for 86 years is a blessing. Nelson accomplished so much in basketball and in life. His family will forever be grateful to have him for as long as they did. He can rest, and the future of the Nelson family is in great hands. We will never forget “Nellie Ball” and all the epic moments and memories.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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