The basketball world woke up to heartbreaking news.
Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson, one of the most influential figures in NBA history, has passed away peacefully at the age of 86, surrounded by his family.
Within minutes, tributes poured in from across the league. Stephen Curry, Dirk Nowitzki, current NBA stars, former players, coaches, and fans all shared messages honoring the man who helped reshape modern basketball.
For many people, Don Nelson wasn’t just one of the winningest coaches ever.
He was the coach who changed the way the game is played.
Stephen Curry’s Emotional Tribute: “He Gave Me the Chance to Become the Best Version of Myself”
One message stood out above the rest.
Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry shared a heartfelt tribute:
“He gave me the chance to become the best version of myself.”
It’s a simple sentence—but it says everything.
When Curry entered the NBA in 2009, plenty of scouts questioned whether his size and style could succeed at the professional level.
Don Nelson saw something different.
He trusted the young guard, handed him the ball, and encouraged him to shoot from long range—even when many coaches still believed that was bad basketball.
Looking back now, that decision changed NBA history.
Without Nelson’s belief, the league may never have seen the Stephen Curry we know today.
The Coach Who Also Believed in Dirk Nowitzki
Curry wasn’t the only superstar whose career was shaped by Don Nelson.
Long before Dirk Nowitzki became an NBA champion and MVP, many people doubted whether the young German forward could survive in the NBA.
Nelson never shared those doubts.
Instead, he built an offense around Dirk’s unique skill set.
He encouraged a seven-footer to handle the ball, shoot from outside, and play unlike any power forward before him.
At the time, it sounded crazy.
Today?
It’s exactly how many NBA stars play.
Many fans believe that without Don Nelson, there might never have been the legendary Dirk Nowitzki.
One of the Greatest Coaches in NBA History
Don Nelson’s coaching résumé speaks for itself.
During his remarkable career, he achieved:
- 1,335 regular-season coaching victories
- Second-most wins in NBA history
- Three NBA Coach of the Year Awards
- Basketball Hall of Fame induction
- More than three decades as an NBA head coach
- Head coaching stints with the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks
For years, Nelson held the record for the most coaching wins in league history before eventually being surpassed by Gregg Popovich.
Even today, he remains one of the most respected coaches the NBA has ever seen.
He Was a Champion Before Becoming a Legendary Coach
Many younger fans know Don Nelson only as a coach.
But before standing on the sidelines, he enjoyed an incredible playing career.
As a member of the Boston Celtics, Nelson won five NBA championships, playing alongside some of the greatest legends in basketball history.
His journey from championship player to Hall of Fame coach is one of the most remarkable careers the sport has ever witnessed.
The Revolutionary Behind “Nellie Ball”
If you’ve heard basketball fans mention “Nellie Ball,” they’re talking about Don Nelson’s revolutionary basketball philosophy.
At a time when most NBA teams relied on traditional centers and slow-paced offenses, Nelson imagined something completely different.
His ideas included:
Smaller, Faster Lineups
Instead of relying on dominant big men, Nelson often preferred quicker, more versatile players.
Today, this style is simply known as small-ball basketball.
Positionless Basketball
Nelson believed every player should be able to dribble, pass, and create offense.
Big men weren’t limited to playing near the basket.
Guards weren’t the only playmakers.
Years later, stars like Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Dončić would thrive in systems built around similar concepts.
The Three-Point Revolution
Today it’s normal for NBA teams to attempt 40 or even 50 three-pointers in a game.
Thirty years ago, that idea seemed ridiculous.
Don Nelson was one of the first coaches willing to embrace long-range shooting as a primary offensive weapon.
Eventually, Stephen Curry would take that philosophy to an entirely new level.
Why Fans Are Saying, “He’s Probably Smoking Weed in Heaven”
One of the more unusual reactions online has surprised many fans.
Social media quickly filled with messages like:
“Hope he’s smoking weed in heaven.”
Far from being disrespectful, these comments actually reflect Nelson’s personality.
After retiring, he lived in Hawaii and became a well-known supporter of medical cannabis legalization.
He even became involved in the cannabis business.
For longtime fans, the phrase is a lighthearted way of imagining Nelson enjoying the peaceful, carefree lifestyle he loved.
Tributes Continue Across the NBA
Following the announcement, messages arrived from every corner of the basketball world.
The NBA.
The Warriors.
The Mavericks.
Former players.
Current stars.
Hall of Famers.
While everyone remembered different moments, one theme kept appearing:
Don Nelson wasn’t afraid to challenge tradition.
He believed in young players.
He wasn’t afraid to experiment.
And he was willing to fail if it meant discovering something new.
Those qualities changed basketball forever.
His Legacy Is Bigger Than Wins
Yes, Don Nelson won 1,335 games.
Yes, he became one of the winningest coaches in NBA history.
But those numbers only tell part of the story.
His real legacy lives on every night across the NBA.
Every time you watch:
- A team playing small-ball
- A center bringing the ball up the court
- A seven-footer shooting three-pointers
- An offense built around spacing
- A player taking deep three-point shots without hesitation
You’re seeing Don Nelson’s influence.
The modern NBA exists because coaches like him dared to imagine a different future.
And while Don Nelson may be gone, the game he helped create will continue inspiring generations of players and fans.
Some coaches win championships.
The greatest ones change the sport forever.
Don Nelson at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Don Nelson |
| Born | 1940 |
| Passed Away | August 9, 2026 (Age 86) |
| NBA Championships (Player) | 5 (Boston Celtics) |
| Coaching Wins | 1,335 (Second-most in NBA history) |
| Coach of the Year Awards | 3 |
| Hall of Fame | Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| NBA Teams Coached | Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks |
| Basketball Legacy | Pioneer of “Nellie Ball” and modern small-ball basketball |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Don Nelson considered one of the greatest NBA coaches?
Don Nelson finished his coaching career with 1,335 regular-season victories, the second-most in NBA history. More importantly, his innovative style—including small-ball lineups, positionless basketball, and an emphasis on three-point shooting—helped shape the modern NBA.
What did Stephen Curry say about Don Nelson?
After Nelson’s passing, Curry shared an emotional tribute, saying:
“He gave me the chance to become the best version of myself.”
The quote reflects Nelson’s faith in Curry from the very beginning of his NBA career.
What was Don Nelson’s relationship with Dirk Nowitzki?
Nelson was one of Dirk Nowitzki’s earliest believers. He encouraged the young German forward to develop skills that were uncommon for big men at the time, helping lay the foundation for one of the greatest international careers in NBA history.
What is “Nellie Ball”?
“Nellie Ball” refers to Don Nelson’s revolutionary basketball philosophy that emphasized speed, floor spacing, versatile players, positionless offense, and heavy three-point shooting. Many analysts consider it the blueprint for today’s NBA.