Don Nelson ties Lenny Wilkens for NBA career coaching wins

[Auggie]

4/4/10 / San Jose Mercury News

TORONTO — He was surrounded and hugged, had his hair messed up and some water poured on his head, was even in the center of a big group dance.

Don Nelson has been somewhat nonchalant the past few weeks when he's been asked about potentially becoming the NBA's all-time leader in coaching victories. But the scene following the Warriors' heart-stopping 113-112 win over the Toronto Raptors at a raucous Air Canada Centre told a completely different story.

Moments after Chris Bosh's layup attempt lipped out just before time expired, Nelson put his hands on his head and wore a look of relief as he secured NBA career victory No. 1,332 to match all-time leader Lenny Wilkens. He then was surrounded by nearly all of his exuberant players and flashed a huge smile in what's arguably been his most trying season in 31 years of coaching.

"You live for moments like that, really, when your team wants something more than you do yourself," Nelson said. "They were just so happy and as a group they were a part of it. They put me in their circle of hope or whatever they call that. I've been practicing and did a little dance for them."

MORE: http://www.mercurynews.com/warriors/ci_14820669?source=rss

:toast:

[KamaAina]

1. So do you think he's gonna get it this year?

They only have six games left. :P

And if he does, does he call it quits? :shrug:

[Upton]

2. Yet..I don't believe he's ever won an NBA title as a coach...

[Auggie]

3. You are correct

I was wondering who would be the first to point that out.

Nelson would trade many of those victories for a title, I bet

[thatsrightimirish]

4. I hope he gets it

so the new owner can fire him