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Don Nelson: Super Coach Trivia Quiz

Is Don Nelson the most undervalued coach in NBA history? Take this quiz and come to your own conclusion. If only Mark Cuban played fun trivia!

A multiple-choice quiz by uglybird. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
uglybird

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
172,635

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
848

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Don Nelson's training as a coach began as a player. How many NBA championships did Nelson's team(s) have when he played? Hint

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Question 2 of 10

2. For what immortal coach did Nelson play? Hint

Gene Shue

Pat Riley

Red Auerbach

Lenny Wilkins

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was Don Nelson's role when he played for his championship teams? Hint

Sixth man

Center

Shooting guard

Starting forward

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of the following coaches has more victories than Don Nelson? Hint

None listed

Gene Shue

Red Auerbach

Jack Ramsay

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of the following coaches has won three or more Coach of the Year awards? Hint

Don Nelson

Red Auerbach

Jack Ramsay

Gene Shue

6. In his seven full years of coaching the Golden State Warriors, Don Nelson's team went to the playoffs four times. In the ten prior years they had gone 1 time. In the ten years following his departure, how many times did the Warriors make the NBA playoffs? Hint

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Question 7 of 10

7. Don Nelson teams seem to many fans to be more entertaining than the average NBA team. This may result from his approach to the game. This approach could best be described by which of the following phrases? Hint

Outscore your opponents

Get the ball into the big man

Defense wins championships

Get into your half court set

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Question 8 of 10

8. According to the SF Chronicle, when Don Nelson coached the Warriors, what offence could a rookie commit which would lead to him being immediately benched? Hint

Passing an open shot

Missing the open man

Playing soft defense

Failing to "box out" for a rebound

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Question 9 of 10

9. The New York Knicks fired Don Nelson because of the team's losing record?

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. Don Nelson began coaching the Mavericks in 1997 and they won 16 games. How many games did they win in the 2002-2003 season? Hint

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Don Nelson's training as a coach began as a player. How many NBA championships did Nelson's team(s) have when he played?

Answer: 5

Nelson was on 5 NBA championship teams with the Boston Celtics. He also played for the Chicago Zephyrs and the LA Lakers prior to coming to Boston.

2. For what immortal coach did Nelson play?

Answer: Red Auerbach

Nelson is quoted as saying, "When I was playing, I always came early and talked philosophy and game situations with Red. I don't even know if he was aware of what he was doing for me. But I probably picked up more things from him than anybody else during my 14 years in the league."

3. What was Don Nelson's role when he played for his championship teams?

Answer: Sixth man

Despite playing as a sixth man, his value to the team was recognized in 1978, when his jersey number was raised to the rafters along with those of Bill Russell, John Havlicek, and the other Celtic greats.

4. Which of the following coaches has more victories than Don Nelson?

Answer: None listed

Nelson's more than 1000 victories are a testament to his coaching abilities.

5. Which of the following coaches has won three or more Coach of the Year awards?

Answer: Don Nelson

Both Don Nelson and Pat Riley have been selected three or more times. Don Nelson has yet to have the luxury of coaching a team with overwhelming talent. Instead, he has recognized and developed players such as Tim Hardaway, Latrell Spewell, Tyrone Hill, and Mitch Richmond, none of whom was picked higher than 11th in the draft.

Answer: 0

The events that culminated in Nelson leaving the Warriors, ultimately cost the team Tim Hardaway, Chris Webber, Latrell Sprewell, and Chris Mullin. One hopes that Mark Cuban will carefully examine the fortunes of the Warriors and Bucks following the departure of Nelson before contemplating any coaching changes.

Answer: Outscore your opponents

If you are a person who becomes bored with set offenses that get the ball into Karl or Shaq, and who likes to see the score top 100 points, then you may owe a debt of gratitude to Don Nelson. He has steadfastly insisted that his players take risks on offense.

He believes that the point guard should be both score and "dish". Rather than trying to get into a "half court set", his teams try to score before the defense gets into their set. The result is an open and exiting style of play that other teams have emulated.

8. According to the SF Chronicle, when Don Nelson coached the Warriors, what offence could a rookie commit which would lead to him being immediately benched?

Answer: Passing an open shot

Latrell Sprewell was valued principally as a defensive player in college. In the author's opinion, he would never have averaged higher than 10 points per game had he started with any other coach (with the possible exception of George Karl).

9. The New York Knicks fired Don Nelson because of the team's losing record?

Answer: False

The Knicks had a winning record when Nelson was fired.

10. Don Nelson began coaching the Mavericks in 1997 and they won 16 games. How many games did they win in the 2002-2003 season?

Answer: 60

Failure to win the ring is the cardinal sin in the NBA. It is my fond hope that Don Nelson will get his championship, which is probably the only mechanism by which he will ever receive the recognition that he deserves.

Source: Author uglybird

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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