OAKLAND, Calif. (Diya TV) — Don Nelson, the longtime NBA coach known for bold ideas, unusual lineups and a sharp competitive edge, died Sunday at age 86.

Nelson left a lasting mark on basketball during a coaching career that spanned 31 seasons. He coached four NBA teams and spent two separate periods with the Golden State Warriors. He also entered the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Nelson often used creative lineups and moved players into unexpected roles. As a result, some fans called him the NBA’s “mad scientist.” Others viewed him as a clever and calculating coach who rarely showed his full hand.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr praised Nelson as a true basketball innovator. Kerr said many ideas now common in the modern NBA can be traced to Nelson’s approach.

Nelson also had a major impact on Stephen Curry. The Warriors selected Curry with the seventh pick in the 2009 NBA draft, when Nelson served as the team’s coach. Curry later became one of basketball’s greatest stars.

“One of the big reasons I was drafted by the Warriors was because of Don Nelson,” Curry said. He also recalled how Nelson challenged him from the start and allowed him to grow.

Nelson became known for his use of the “point forward.” He ran parts of his offense through bigger players who could handle the ball and create plays. In Milwaukee, he used Marques Johnson and Paul Pressey in that role. With Golden State, he also gave similar responsibilities to players such as Rod Higgins, Chris Mullin and Stephen Jackson.

Nelson retired in 2010 with more regular-season wins than any coach in NBA history at the time. Yet he never won an NBA championship or reached the NBA Finals.

His first major Warriors run came from 1988 to 1994. As coach and general manager, Nelson built the famous Run-TMC team around Hall of Famers Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin.

However, Nelson later traded Richmond after two seasons. The move damaged the team’s chemistry and ended the Run-TMC era. Nelson eventually called the trade his biggest regret.

His relationship with Chris Webber also ended badly. Golden State selected Webber with the No. 1 pick in the 1993 NBA draft. Webber won Rookie of the Year, but he and Nelson struggled to work together. The Warriors traded Webber less than a year later.

Nelson then coached the New York Knicks before taking over the Dallas Mavericks. There, he helped develop young stars Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. Dallas reached four straight playoffs under Nelson and made its first conference finals during his tenure.

That relationship also ended with conflict. Nelson and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban accused each other of dishonesty. Nelson later received a $6.3 million settlement through arbitration.

In 2006, Nelson returned to Golden State. He helped create the “We Believe” Warriors with players including Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington. In the 2007 playoffs, the No. 8 seed Warriors stunned the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks.

That upset became one of the biggest moments in Warriors history. It also gave Nelson a memorable victory over his former team.

Nelson’s final Warriors years brought more conflict and poor results. Still, his influence remained clear.

Most importantly, Nelson helped bring Curry to Golden State. That decision became one of the greatest gifts in franchise history. Curry later led the Warriors to multiple championships and changed the way teams approached the game.

Nelson’s career included innovation, controversy, success, and regret. Above all, he left basketball with ideas that continue to shape the NBA.