Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

[iLLmatic]

I am beginning to wonder this even more after this season. Dont get me wrong, I've never understood how a guy who has the second most wins in NBA history with not 1 trip to the NBA Finals and no rings gets as much love as he does. As a W's fan I have seen every game this season and it has occured to me that if Don Nelson continues at this rate, with or without Monta, the W's could be lookin at the lottery again just 2 years removed from the playoffs and one year removed from a 48 win season. They give up 112 ppg to teams that dont even score in triple digits. They gave up:

* 124 pts to Washington, currently 19th in the league scoring 97.1 per.

* 119 pts to Boston, currently No. 11 in scoring, at 99.5 per.

* 130 in OT to Miami, currently 13th in scoring, at 98.8 per.

* 131 to Houston, currently tied for 24th in scoring, at 94.8.

* 123 to San Antonio, currently 27th in scoring averages at 93.5.

Unbelievable Nellie. If you didn't want to coach anymore, why did you come back? Its clearly a philosophy issue. He tells his teams to jack up 3's and run the fast break, but these guys cant rebound, or play a lick of defense and it doesnt seem to be changin anytime soon. He wont play the young guys until the game is already decided which has been a lot lately, and he sits on the bench rubbing his head lookin confused. I know he aint confused when he is cashing them checks though. And truth be told, he is a very big part of the reason Chris Mullin wont be here as GM next season.Dude is mad selfish and always has been. Look at his dealings with Cuban and the Mavs. They gave him the role to be GM and pick players he wanted on his team and when he got tired of coaching, he walked. And then had the ball bag to ask for the left over bread the Mavs "owed" hm. He played that "I'll walk" game with the W's before and they flinched and signed this dude to another contract. And before its all said and done, he will walk again from the Warriors.

[Taur3asi3]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

Losing Baron was huge and was then made worse by Elliis' stupidity. When he tries and cares and is with a team built for his style he's a great coach but as it is now? He's just trying to get fired.

[youvalss]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

Is Don Nelson a coach?! Didn't know that but thanks!

[SPTO]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

Don Nelson is one of those coaches that's best served coaching a team 3-4 years then leaving town. It's not because he's a bad coach as he's obviously won a ton of games but his style is very particular to the fast break game.

Nellie has never been one to preach defense hence the shootouts that his teams always seem to be involved in.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

Its easy to call a losing coach who is having a bad year after previous good ones a overated coach...Donny is a good coach man, his personnel is just messed up this season......

[toneloc99]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

Nellie is not overrated just doesn't have much to work with. Robert Rowell decided he didn't want Baron Davis back, and this is the result of losing one of your best players in back-to-back years (JRich the year before). They replaced Baron with a known ballhog in Maggette who is only interested in scoring and airballing 3 pointers. Total inept managment by Cohan and his henchmen Rowell have left this franchise in shambles. When you have a financial guy making basketball decisions you're doomed.

[J.R. Locke]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

You are as good as your players. Every place he has been he has implemented his system and had success. Never the ultimate success.

He is an above average coach. Nothing more nothing less.

[Lumalu]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

One thing about Nellie's teams, is they are great to watch. But I do think his time is up at the warriors. That roster is in a shambles.

Maybe he can get another short stint somewhere else. Imagine if he coached the Hornets, it would be alley-opps and 3's all day long.

[Fiasco West]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

Well that Anthony Randolph looks to be a good player with a lot of potential...are they playing him enough?

I mean he's a good coach, not great but he's good.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

You are as good as your players. Every place he has been he has implemented his system and had success. Never the ultimate success.

He is an above average coach. Nothing more nothing less.

I think this JR has the right idea. Don is a good coach with the right team, but right now the Warriors aren't built to win, especially without Monta in the lineup. All of the top flight Western teams have size and physicality. Nelly just doesn't have the horses to run right now.

[iLLmatic]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

It has been 7 games or so since I started this thread. The record for those games is 2-5. Since the last time, Nelson and Stephen Jackson (Yeah the same guy who just got a two year extension) have gotten into a shouting match in practice, Maggette is still injured(whats new), Bellinelli is getting more run (Dude is balling too) with Jackson and Maggette out, trade talk of a Felton for Randolph or Wright move could be coming, and Nelson has finally turned over the "defensive coordinator"(as if Nelson ever preached defense to any of his teams) duties to the assistants Keith Smart, and Sidney Moncrief. Looks like a preemptive strike by Nelson to skip on out again.

Oh and I forgot, the guy who gave this joke of a coach another job after he showed his true colors in Dallas when he skipped out on them too, GM Chris Mullin, is now not on talking terms with Nelson because Nelson is upset with the players who were brought in this off season. He told Anthony Randolph(their 1st round pick) to tell his agent to look for trade options because it aint working out. Aint working out? Dude is 19 with raw ability and this a hole tells him it aint working out? Dude has worn out his welcome out here. If this is what you can expect from this guy every time he is actually forced to coach unlike when he had Baron running the show, Don Nelson is overrated.

[J.R. Locke]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

What happened to Nelie in Dallas wasn't showing his true colors. There was something going on there. Avery Johnson got canned....for what?

Anyway Nellie is Nellie, there are alot worse coaches out there. I love his style and I think it can win in the NBA.

[GSW]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

Nellie does actually "preach defense" his defensive scheme are just ridiculous and have guys running around liek chickens with cut off heads, and has our best rebounder often out of position chasing around guards or forwards whihc is why we cant rebound better.

add on top of that the man refuses to play legitimate size next to him opting to play maggette or buike at PF.

I sincerely hope Don Nelson gets fired, dude is 70 years old and still pining for money as if he doesnt have enough already and Robert Rowell fell for the old okie doke.

Nellie has a history of doing exactly what iLLmatic said, 2-3 years get bored, trade off all the assests and then dip out of town blaming the failure of the team on everyone but himself.

Lets just pray to god Randolph,Wright, and Andris survive the hailstorm that is Don Nelson, before he skips out of town. him turning over the reigns to Sidney and smart for defense is step 1 this old geriatric dude is on his way out.

The guy forced Rowell to sign Maggette to play PF for god sakes. Funny part was before the seaosn he was repeadtly asked if Maggette would play PF and he said "No" vehemently.

Dudes a clown.

[luv_mist]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

IMO YES!! So are many other coaches in the league who have wonderful teams fall into their lap. Still, it is an "equal" league where every team gets a fair advantage right?

[BiggD]

Re: Is Don Nelson overrated as a coach?

Well i'm late to the party as usual but here is my rant:

Nellie is one of those people were the saying "can't teach a old dog new tricks" fits perfectly... I just read that he told Randolph to seek a trade??? what the hell is with this guy? I'm sorry but i believe JAX and Maggette are more of a liability then Randolph.Why draft the guy if he doesn't fit the system???? Get rid of JAX,Maggette and Azubuike!!!