Hall of Famer Don Nelson Awarded Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award

Don Nelson, a legendary figure in basketball, has been honored with the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, as announced by the National Basketball Coaches Association. The prestigious award will be officially presented to him Sunday night, prior to Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“History has already reflected Don Nelson’s staggering contributions as a cutting-edge innovator and visionary of the NBA game,” remarked Pacers coach and NBCA President Rick Carlisle. “Back in the ’80s and ’90s, he made teams adjust to historic pace, liberal 3-point shooting, inverted offense, and disruptive defensive schemes. All this while establishing himself as one of the most compelling personalities in all of professional sports.”

The 85-year-old Nelson, who retired in 2010 as the NBA’s all-time winningest coach with 1,335 wins, maintained that record until Gregg Popovich surpassed it in 2022. Renowned for his pioneering style, Nelson has left an indelible mark on teams such as Milwaukee, Dallas, and Golden State, while also having a brief tenure with New York.

Known for his strategic brilliance, Nelson helped popularize the concept of the point forward, with his “Nellie Ball” fast-paced playstyle becoming iconic, especially during Golden State’s “Run TMC” era.

Reflecting on his close friendship with Chuck Daly, Nelson expressed, “Chuck was an absolute genius in all facets of the game and life. I'm glad I had the opportunity to coach against him, learn from him, and benefit from his knowledge. To say that I’m deeply touched to receive an award that bears his name would be an understatement. This is special.”

The Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, named after the celebrated coach, acknowledges leaders who embody integrity, competitive excellence, and a dedication to promoting the NBA. Past recipients of this honor include Rudy Tomjanovich, Rick Adelman, Larry Brown, and Pat Riley among others.