Nowitzki, Dončić mourn NBA legend Don Nelson: 'You believed in me'

The basketball world mourned the loss of NBA coaching legend Don Nelson, with Dallas Mavericks stars Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Dončić sharing heartfelt tributes. Nelson, who passed away at the age of 86, had a profound impact on both players' careers, playing a crucial role in their journeys with the Dallas franchise.

Dirk Nowitzki, who played his entire 21-season NBA career with the Mavericks, expressed deep gratitude to Nelson. "Nellie... You not only picked me in the draft. You believed in me. You saw things in my game before I even understood I could do them," Nowitzki wrote on social media. He emphasized Nelson's foundational role, stating, "I've said it a million times and I'll say it forever: I don't think my career would have unfolded as it did if you hadn't been my first coach."

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Nellie... You not only picked me in the draft. You believed in me. You saw things in my game before I even understood I could do them. I've said it a million times and I'll say it forever: I don't think my career would have unfolded as it did if you hadn't been my first coach.

Nelson's coaching style allowed Nowitzki, a 213 cm tall German player, the freedom to play away from the basket, shoot from long range, and create his own plays, deviating from traditional roles for big men at the time. This approach contributed to Nowitzki's success, including his MVP award in 2007 and leading the Mavericks to their only championship in 2011.

Luka Dončić also paid tribute to Nelson, calling his death a "sad day for basketball." He expressed great respect for Nelson's contributions to the game, particularly his belief in international players. "I am grateful for the time I spent with him. Today my thoughts are with the entire Nelson family. I am glad I had the opportunity to know you, coach," Dončić wrote.

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Don Nelson's death is a sad day for basketball. I feel great respect for him for everything he has done for this game, especially for how he believed in foreign players. I am grateful for the time I spent with him. Today my thoughts are with the entire Nelson family. I am glad I had the opportunity to know you, coach.

While Dončić was drafted by Nelson's son, Donnie Nelson, the elder Nelson publicly supported the Slovenian star. In 2015, while accepting an award, Don Nelson famously wore Dončić's signature shoes and protested the Mavericks' decision to trade him, stating, "I think the Dallas club made a huge mistake. My philosophy has always been this: when you have a great player, he is yours for life. You don't give up great players."

The Nelson family was known for its strong belief in international talent. Don Nelson also coached Šarūnas Marčiulionis on the Golden State Warriors, and his son Donnie worked with the Lithuanian national team staff for many years. Don Nelson amassed 1,335 wins in his 31-season coaching career, ranking second in NBA history behind Gregg Popovich. He was a three-time NBA Coach of the Year and a five-time NBA champion as a player with the Boston Celtics.

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I think the Dallas club made a huge mistake. My philosophy has always been this: when you have a great player, he is yours for life. You don't give up great players.