Don Nelson Enters Hall Of Fame

Boston Globe

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/09/07/don-nelson-one-enter-basketball-hall-fame/E9Zi89py7mnmrV7M5E1I1I/story.html

Don Nelson entered the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Friday night in a similar manner to which he became the winningest coach in NBA history. He picked moments to be serious, littered his speech with jokes, and even plugged his Maui coffee shop.

It was a splendid speech, a rundown of a career filled with ups and downs, and a triumphant ending. One of 12 inductees in the Class of 2012, Nelson was unable to win an NBA championship as a coach, but he spent 35 years trying, and left the game having resurrected three franchises and been directly involved in a handful of Hall of Fame careers.

Nelson’s theme since being named to the Hall has been one of good fortune. He was fortunate enough to land with the Lakers after a year with the Chicago Zephyrs, fortunate enough to receive a call from Red Auerbach after Tom Heinsohn retired to join the Celtics as a forward. Fortunate enough to last 11 years in Boston, retiring with five titles.

Fortunate enough for his jumper to bounce high off the rim and through the net at the Forum to help give the Celtics a 108-106 Game 7 victory over the Lakers for another title in 1969. And he was fortunate enough to still be productive and therefore part of the post-Russell Celtics that won titles in 1974 and ‘76 with Dave Cowens and John Havlicek.

Don Nelson Enters Hall Of Fame

Boston Globe

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/09/07/don-nelson-one-enter-basketball-hall-fame/E9Zi89py7mnmrV7M5E1I1I/story.html

Don Nelson entered the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Friday night in a similar manner to which he became the winningest coach in NBA history. He picked moments to be serious, littered his speech with jokes, and even plugged his Maui coffee shop.

It was a splendid speech, a rundown of a career filled with ups and downs, and a triumphant ending. One of 12 inductees in the Class of 2012, Nelson was unable to win an NBA championship as a coach, but he spent 35 years trying, and left the game having resurrected three franchises and been directly involved in a handful of Hall of Fame careers.

Nelson’s theme since being named to the Hall has been one of good fortune. He was fortunate enough to land with the Lakers after a year with the Chicago Zephyrs, fortunate enough to receive a call from Red Auerbach after Tom Heinsohn retired to join the Celtics as a forward. Fortunate enough to last 11 years in Boston, retiring with five titles.

Fortunate enough for his jumper to bounce high off the rim and through the net at the Forum to help give the Celtics a 108-106 Game 7 victory over the Lakers for another title in 1969. And he was fortunate enough to still be productive and therefore part of the post-Russell Celtics that won titles in 1974 and ‘76 with Dave Cowens and John Havlicek.