THROUGH THE WIRE: NEWS (09/24/10)

WHOA NELLY! It looks like one of the most charismatic and most successful NBA coaches of all time might take his final walk out the tunnel this year. 70 year old Don Nelson is expected to part ways with the Golden State Warriors on Monday. The coach with the most W's in the win column of NBA history (with 1,335) has manned the helm for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Golden State Warriors (twice), the New York Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks. He may have the most wins in NBA history but he has never coached a team to the championships. He has however won five championships as a player when he was a sixth man with the Boston Celtics. Although it's expected that he will no longer run Oak town it is not certain whether that means Nellie's coaching days are over or not. Let's hope not as Don Nelson is a rare breed and has provided us with some of the best and most entertaining moments in NBA history. Including the time he wore a clown nose after his 'Hack-a-Shaq' strategy (which he coined) didn't pay off. Here's hoping Nelson still wants to be part of the circus.



The talks between New Jersey and Denver Nuggets over Carmelo Anthony appear to be speaking up. Although the rumours are whirling round the mill everything is a little bit hush, hush, but the smoke is evidently here so expect some fire. There are hints at a possible multi-team deal involving the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Bobcats with Charlotte clawing Devin Harris in this deal, the Jazz sounding French with Boris Diaw and the Nuggets expanding their arsenal with AK-47 Andrei Kirilenko. The only problem for New Jersey is that Denver want Jersey's number 3 rookie Derrick Favours who has Duncan and Garnett type potential. Even so if this deal goes down the Nets won't have to look to the Hollywood or the fictional Scott McKnight for a superstar who is 'Just Wright'. Jay-Z may have his 'Brooklyn Bomber' after all.



The NBA is planning a crack down this season involving referee's. No this is not a further development in the referee problem in the league but more a license for these guys to blow the whistle on players who use 'overt' gestures. It appears the association is tired of players complaining and throwing their toys out the pram. Well not on their court. The NBA is getting all Coach Carter in their 'respect for the game'. More T's will be handed for fists thrown in anger in hope that this behaviour is reduced. Am sure somewhere Rasheed Wallace is content that he made the right decision this summer.