OKLAHOMA CITY — Don Nelson has been invited to the NBA Finals numerous instances lately, all the time declining these alternatives.
This time, his friends discovered a method to make sure he couldn’t 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, introduced by the Nationwide Basketball Coaches Affiliation. It is going to be formally given out Sunday night time, about an hour earlier than Recreation 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 sport,” mentioned Pacers coach and NBCA President Rick Carlisle. “Again within the ’80s and ’90s, he made groups modify to historic tempo, liberal 3-point capturing, inverted offense, and disruptive defensive schemes. All this whereas establishing himself as probably the most 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 saved that prime spot for practically 12 years earlier than now-retired San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich handed him in March 2022.
Nelson is considered one of solely two coaches in NBA historical past to have a minimum of 250 wins with three totally different franchises. He received to that mark with Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State, and likewise 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 aspects of the sport and life,” Nelson mentioned. “I’m glad I had the chance to teach in opposition to him, be taught from him, and profit from his information. To say that I’m deeply touched to obtain an award that bears his title could be an understatement. That is particular.”
Nelson took groups to the playoffs 18 instances as a coach and received 5 championships as a participant with the Boston Celtics. He began teaching in 1976 and what turned often known as “Nellie Ball” quickly created a buzz with him being usually credited for introducing what’s now often 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).
