As you may know, Warriors coach Don Nelson is three wins away from breaking Lenny Wilkens’ all-time record for NBA coaching victories. He’s also been on the sidelines as the Warriors, only a few years removed from pulling off one of the biggest playoff upsets of all time, have become a shell of their former selves. Thanks to injuries, locker-room turmoil, perplexing front-office moves, too many shoot-first players, and horrible, horrible defense, the Warriors have stumbled to a 21-53 record.
Some people believe Nelson is doing the best job he can with the players he has available to him. Others, like Tim Kawakami, do not. (If Nelson breaks the record, the champagne will likely not be provided by Kawakami.) But before we can start to think about the supreme awkwardness that would occur if Nelson breaks the record while so many Warrior fans and analysts have been calling for his head all season, let’s take a look at the Warriors’ remaining schedule and assess Nelson’s chances of breaking the record:
At home against the Knicks:
The Knicks play the same up-and-down style as the Warriors, and it’s been just as ineffective for Mike D’Antoni’s current crew as it has been for Nelson’s. The Warriors are at home, the Knicks are 0-3 on their current road trip, and the Warriors beat the Knicks comfortably the first time the two teams met this season.On the road against the Raptors:
The Raptors are fighting for a playoff spot and at home, but they also don’t play defense, and the Warriors beat them by double digits in their first meeting of the season. This one could go either way, although the Raptors are the favorites.On the road against the Timberwolves, Wizards, and Clippers:
These games are huge for Nellie. The Nets’ flirtation with the worst record of all time hid the fact that the Timberwolves have been almost as bad, and the Wizards have flat-out imploded since the Arenas situation and Josh Howard’s season-ending injury. The Clippers are playing out the string after the replacement of coach (and GM) Mike Dunleavy, and are just trying to get the season over with so they can rebuild. This is the stretch that will make or break Nellie’s record chase.At home against Oklahoma City and Utah, and on the road against Portland:
Three games against quality Western teams jostling for playoff position. I don’t like the Warriors’ chances in any of these games, but never underestimate a man on a mission. Maybe underestimate the Warriors going all-out against a playoff team to get Nellie his record.