Nelson Replaced by His Son

When Don Nelson leaves the Dallas Mavericks next week for treatment of his prostate cancer, son Donnie will be the team’s interim coach, not Del Harris.

Harris, former coach of the Lakers, decided that he was better suited to continue as an assistant coach for the Mavericks.

While Donnie Nelson hasn’t been an NBA head coach, other than replacing his father because of ejections and illnesses, he knows the system. He has been an assistant coach for his father for nine years, the last two in Dallas, and also serves as director of player personnel.

“I don’t know if there is such a thing as overpreparation, but I don’t know what I else I could do, other than do it,” the younger Nelson said.

Donnie Nelson has coached summer leagues and Lithuania’s Olympic team, which won the bronze medal in Sydney after nearly upsetting the U.S. team in a semifinal.

Donnie’s debut will come during a five-game trip that begins Jan. 5 at Toronto.

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