Don Nelson Quotes

A collection of quotes by Don Nelson.

Don Nelson is a former professional basketball player and coach hailing from the United States. Born on May 15, 1940, in Muskegon, Michigan, Nelson had a successful career spanning multiple decades in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before transitioning into coaching, Nelson played as a forward for the Chicago Zephyrs (now the Washington Wizards), the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics, and the New York Knicks.

Known for his versatility as a player, Nelson carved a niche for himself with his sharp shooting and exceptional ball-handling skills. After retiring from playing in 1976, Nelson embarked on a coaching career in the NBA. He is highly regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the league's history and is renowned for his strategic innovations and offensive style of play.

Nelson coached several successful teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks. He consistently led his teams to the playoffs and was named the NBA Coach of the Year three times. Over the course of his coaching tenure, Nelson achieved numerous milestones, becoming the winningest coach in NBA history in 2010.

With a distinctive style that focused on up-tempo offense and innovative lineup choices, Nelson left an indelible mark on the sport. Despite retiring from coaching in 2010, his contributions to basketball are widely recognized and his influence can still be seen in the league today.