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Warriors: Best Coaches in Golden State Team History

By Andrew Ites

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 03: Head Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors coaches against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on February 3, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 03: Head Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors coaches against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on February 3, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 16: Coach Don Nelson of the Golden State Warriors argues a call in a game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 16, 2009 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Don Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 16: Coach Don Nelson of the Golden State Warriors argues a call in a game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 16, 2009 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Don Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Don Nelson

Don Nelson will go down as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history, and he enjoyed some success during his 11 seasons with the Warriors.

Golden State went 422-433 (48.8%) in the regular season during Nelson’s two separate tenures, and they won 14 of their 35 playoff games under Nelson.

The Warriors made the playoffs in four of Nelson’s fist six seasons during the “Run TMC” era including the 1991-92 season where he won Coach of the Year. But he was fired after a 14-31 start to the 1994-95 season.

Golden State made the second round of the playoffs in two of Nelson’s first three seasons, but they failed to win another postseason series before he was fired.

The Warriors missed the playoffs for 11 straight seasons after firing Nelson, so they decided to bring him back in 2006.

Related Story. Best Free Agent Signings in Golden State History. light

Golden State immediately returned to the postseason in Nelson’s first year of his second stint with the team, and they pulled off the biggest playoff upset in NBA history defeating the top-seeded Mavericks in the first round.

The Warriors missed the playoffs with a 48-34 record in 2007-08, and they would not make the postseason again before Nelson was fired by Joe Lacob in 2010.

Golden State would’ve been totally irrelevant for over 20 years if it weren’t for the brilliance of Don Nelson.

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