Don Nelson is dead: Dirk Nowitzki mourns his first NBA coach

Don Nelson, the pioneering NBA coach who gave German basketball icon Dirk Nowitzki his start in the league, has passed away at the age of 86. Nelson's family announced his peaceful death on Sunday, surrounded by loved ones.

Nelson's impact on the NBA was profound. As a player, he was a five-time NBA champion, and as a head coach, he amassed 1,335 wins, a figure surpassed only by Gregg Popovich. Nelson coached for 31 years with teams including the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks. Despite his coaching success, he never won a championship as a head coach.

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Nellie ... You didn't just draft me. You believed in me. You saw things in my game before I even realized I was capable of them.

Dirk Nowitzki shared a heartfelt tribute to his former coach, expressing immense gratitude for Nelson's belief in him. "Nellie... You didn't just draft me. You believed in me. You saw things in my game before I even realized I was capable of them," Nowitzki wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He emphasized that his career likely would not have unfolded as it did without Nelson's guidance and the freedom to play his game.

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I have said it countless times and will always say it again: I don't think my career would have gone the way it did if you hadn't been my first coach and given me the freedom to play my game.

Nowitzki concluded his message with a simple yet powerful "I can only say THANK YOU. For everything. RIP, Legend." The sentiment underscores the significant role Nelson played not only in Nowitzki's professional development but also in shaping the trajectory of his storied NBA career.

Nelson was known for revolutionizing the game through his "fearlessness, ingenuity, and deep conviction," according to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. His innovative coaching style and dedication left an indelible mark on the league, influencing countless players and coaches.

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I can only say THANK YOU. For everything. RIP, Legend.