What’s Don Nelson been up to since retiring from coaching? He’s gotten into the green.
Nelson returned to Oracle Arena to be honored Thursday along with other members of the “We Believe” Golden State Warriors. He spoke at a press conference prior to the Warriors’ game against the Sacramento Kings. He was asked about what he’s been up to lately and volunteered that he’s been smoking some pot.
Nelson, 78, won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics and had his jersey retired by the team. He went on to enjoy a successful coaching career and won NBA Coach of the Year three times.
Nelson now lives in Maui and runs a farm that grows flowers, coffee and cannabis. He talked with the New York Times about it last year.
“I’ve got a medical card. I’m legal here. When any athlete gets old, every injury you have sustained seems to resurrect. It helps me deal with the pain without pain pills, and helps with that stress,” Nelson told them.
He added that he didn’t start smoking until recently and said Willie Nelson got him into it.
“No, I didn’t smoke until maybe three or four years ago. I never smoked when I was coaching. I just started. Willie got me smoking.”
Gotta love it. Nelson last coached in 2010. Several years ago, he shared the reason why he thinks he got fired.
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