Former Bucks coach Nelson dies

Former Milwaukee Bucks coach Don Nelson passed away this weekend at the age of 86.  Nelson was a three-time NBA Coach of the Year, who joined the Bucks staff as an assistant to coach Larry Costello in 1976.  Nelson became head coach when Costello stepped during the 1976-77 season, and he remained Bucks head coach through 1987.  He also served as head coach at Golden State, New York and Dallas, earning 1335 career wins in 31 seasons, although his teams never reached the NBA finals.  Nelson was a native of Muskegon, Michigan, and grew up in Rock Island, Illinois.  He played college basketball at Iowa and began his pro playing career with the NBA Chicago Zephyrs in 1962.  He then played two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and then spent eleven seasons with the Boston Celtics.  He averaged ten points and five rebounds per game for his NBA career, helping the Celtics win five NBA championships.