NBA legend Don Nelson is mostly known for his career as a coach, where he ranks as the winningest coach in the history of the league. But he was also a stellar player, winning five titles with the Boston Celtics to cap a career that was started when he was drafted by the old Chicago Zephyrs.
On Friday night, Nelson was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame and he started with the usual platitudes that pepper these kind of speeches.
"When I look back on my career, I'm the luckiest guy in the world." Don Nelson. #Hawkeyes
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) September 8, 2012
Toward the end, though, his speech started to veer into territory more befitting of one of the league's most colorful characters.
Classic Don Nelson. "Hopefully this will be the last tuxedo I'll be wearing," he says near the end of his speech. The man with the fish tie.
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 8, 2012
He then finished by plugging the small shop he runs in Hawaii.
Quote of the night from Don Nelson: "Come visit me in Maui, I have a coffee shop and shaved ice." #livingthedream
— Kris Koivisto (@KrisKoivisto) September 8, 2012
A fitting ending to an unpredictable career.
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