gold star for USAHOF

14. Don Nelson

14. Don Nelson

Don Nelson without question achieved more considerable notoriety as a coach than as a player, but it should never be discounted what he accomplished when he donned the shorts.

Signing as a free agent in 1965, Nelson would play for the Boston Celtics for 11 seasons, much of which was off of the bench but his high basketball I.Q. proved to be invaluable for Boston.  He was a key contributor for five Celtics’ championships and averaged a healthy 11.4 Points per Game and knew when to take a shot, and also when not to.  He would lead the NBA in Field Goal Percentage and True Field Goal Percentage in 1974/75.

Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a Coach in 2012, and his jersey (#19) was retired by the Celtics in 1976.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Power Forward, Small Forward
  • Acquired: Signed as a Free Agent 10/28/65.
  • Departed: Retired after the 1975/76 Season.
  • Games Played: 872
  • Per Game Averages: 21.8 MP
    .484 eFG%
    .769 FT%
    11.4 PTS
    5.2 RB
    1.6 AST
    *0.2 STL
    *0.1 BLK

    134 Playoff Games
    21.9 MP
    .500 eFG%
    .819 FT%
    11.1 PTS
    4.8 RB
    1.4 AST
    *0.3 STL
    *0.1 BLK

    *Steals and Blocks were not recorded until the 1973/74 season.

  • Advanced Stats: 16.7 PER
    .546 TS%
    **3.1 VORP
    69.7 WS

    134 Playoff Gaes
    16.8 PER
    .567 TS%
    **1.2 VORP
    10.9 WS

    ***VORP did not become a stat until 1973/74.
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    NBA Champion (1966, 1968, 1969, 1974 & 1976)
    Highest Field Goal Percentage (1974-75)
    Highest True Field Goal Percentage (1974-75)

     


     
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