Don Nelson Joined Celtics for $1,000 Cash — Bob Ryan Reveals All 😳

Don Nelson has passed away at 86. Bob Ryan and Gary Tanguay spend this episode remembering the real Nelly — not just the Hall of Fame coach, but the Celtic most people under 60 never saw play.

The story nobody knows: Nelson became a Celtic for $1,000 cash because rival Tom Heinsohn personally told Red Auerbach to go get him.

0:00 — Why Tom Heinsohn told Red to sign Don Nelson

1:05 — Nelson’s early career and the Havlicek birthday coincidence

4:36 — His playing days at Iowa and a rough stretch with the Lakers

5:23 — Signed to the Celtics for $1,000 cash

6:45 — Heinsohn’s go-to clutch play was always for Nelson

8:38 — The legendary Game 7 shot off the back of the rim

11:37 — PrizePicks

12:41 — The bar debate that ended with broken glasses

14:04 — Bill Russell called him “the ultimate Celtic”

14:31 — Retiring to Maui, and a famous marijuana patch