The Golden State Warriors are bringing a piece of their legendary past right onto the court this 2026-27 season, announcing they’ll be rocking a special ‘Nellie’ band on their uniforms. This isn’t just any patch, folks, this is a full-on tribute to Hall of Fame head coach Don Nelson, who passed away earlier this month at 86. Get ready to see that ‘Nellie’ patch proudly displayed on the left shoulder, even sitting above their data center patch. Talk about priorities, right?
Nellie’s Impact: From Playoff Shocks to Postgame Sips
Don Nelson wasn’t just a coach; he was an innovator and a character. He led the Warriors for 11 seasons, racking up an incredible 422 wins. But it wasn’t just the numbers; it was the way he did it. The man won five titles as an NBA player, but his coaching tenure with the Warriors brought some truly improbable playoff victories that fans still talk about. Remember 1989? Nellie’s Warriors swept the Utah Jazz, even with Defensive Player of the Year Mark Eaton looming, by having a 6-foot-7 Rod Higgins playing center. Pure genius! Then there was 2007, when they completely upset the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks. Nelson frustrated Dirk Nowitzki and Co. with his signature high-paced, small-ball lineup. This was a coach who famously said, “The more scotch I drink, the better the game plan gets.” And the NBA actually had to step in, barring him from bringing cans into postgame news conferences back in ’07. What a legend. The source even muses that to fully honor him, maybe the Warriors should add an ‘IRIE’ patch, a nod to his marijuana farming in Hawaii, alongside his bed-and-breakfast and that legendary poker room popularized by Woody Nelson and Woody Harrelson. You can’t make this stuff up!
A Tradition of Legends and What’s Next
This ‘Nellie’ patch isn’t the first time the Warriors have honored their greats in such a visible way. They’ve got a history of celebrating franchise legends right on the jersey. Just last season, in 2024-25, they honored longtime guard, coach, and executive Al Attles with a No. 16 patch. Before that, in 2016, they sported a No. 42 patch for Hall of Famer and barbecue legend Nate Thurmond. And all the way back in the 2010-11 season, their jerseys featured Franklin Mieuli’s signature deerstalker cap after their former owner passed. So, this ‘Nellie’ band is continuing a proud tradition. This season, expect more than just a patch to honor Nelson. The Warriors are apparently leaning into his style, planning to play small lineups because they don’t have tall players on their roster. And get this: expect to see seven-foot centers launching three-pointers! It’s a true tip of the cap to Nellie’s revolutionary thinking. Plus, as another tribute, they’ll likely be driving their fans to reach for scotch or a bag of “Nellie Kush.” Just as the man himself would’ve wanted. The 2026-27 season is going to be one for the books, not just for the play on the court, but for the wild spirit of Don Nelson living on through every game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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