Don Nelson expected to leave Golden State
Coach Don Nelson is expected to step down as head coach of the Golden State Warriors this coming Monday, according to an NBA source.
The 70-year-old Nelson would leave the league as the most winning coach in NBA history, passing Lenny Wilkens in April, with an overall coaching record of 1,333-1,060. This honour likely
speaks more to Nelson’s longevity than anything else because the coach won only 56 percent of his games.
The three-time coach of the year has also coached the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks, and the Dallas Mavericks during his 31-year coaching career. He has never won an NBA championship
or made the NBA Finals as a head coach.
Nelson’s unique style of coaching has earned the name “Nellie Ball,” a style where offence is king and defence is often an afterthought. Nelson often opted for small and quick line-ups
in an attempt to overwhelm the opposition with speed and fast-break points. A true centre was not necessary for “Nellie Ball.”
Although the system was entertaining for fans, it never resulted in success at a high level for Nelson. The most recent example of its effectiveness came in the 2007 play-offs, when Nelson’s
eighth-seeded Warriors upset the number-one seeded Dallas Mavericks in six games in the first round.
As the head coach of the Bucks in the 80s, Nelson brought his team to the play-offs for nine consecutive seasons. But he was never able to bring his team over the hump with zero appearances
in the NBA Finals during this stretch. This trend would never be bucked.
It was unclear whether Nelson would resign or be fired but he will reportedly be paid $6 million, which is what he is owed for the final year of his contract. Keith Smart, assistant coach
for the team, is expected to take over the job.
Nelson played most of his NBA career as a forward for the Boston Celtics, winning five championships from 1966 to 1976.
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