Matthew Harvey - AHN Sports Reporter
Oakland, CA (AHN) - Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson will miss his team's next two games, as he is flu-stricken and needs to rest.
Filling in for the Tuesday tilt at Dallas and Wednesday in San Antonio is assistant coach Keith Smart.
Smart has said the only difference in these two games is that he'll be moving up and down the sidelines a bit more.
Smart, who hit the game-winning shot for Indiana vs. Syracuse in the 1987 NCAA title game, has been well-groomed, as Nelson has given him this kind of authority before.
Smart runs practices, and oversees the defensive construction within games.
Some think Nelson, who is pushing close to 70, should consider retiring. There's many reasons for him to consider a graceful exit - but some unfinished business does stand in his way.
Nelson with a 1,309-1,007 won-loss record is just 20 wins shy of breaking the NBA record as winningest coach.
Additionally, should he coach one more season, he will stand to make an additional $6 million for his effort.
Nelson has had the kind of dream career few coaches in his place enjoy. As a player for the Boston Celtics from 1965-1976, he was part of one of the first true basketball dynasties.
He collected championship rings with the Celtics in 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1974.
He closed out his playing career with the Celts, and went to coach the Milwaukee Bucks from 1976-1987 before heading to the Bay Area.
Nelson has never led a team to an NBA title, however, and that is not likely to change with the Warriors.
Article © AHN - All Rights Reserved
|
