In 2018, Don Nelson sat down with The New York Times. At the age of 80, he lived in Maui and had been away from the NBA for almost two decades.
However, retirement did not slow him down. On the contrary, he seemed to be enjoying life in his own way. That became clear when the Hall of Famer talked about an unexpected new habit: smoking weed.
Nelson admitted that he never thought of going that way. What was even more surprising was who started it – Willie Nelson and Woody Harrelson. Two images from music and Hollywood. Two of the most talked about cannabis advocates around.
The second step is easy
Nelson’s interview came a few days after 4/20. The day celebrates the culture of cannabis. It was appropriate. In fact, marijuana had become a natural part of his daily life.
After decades of isolation, Maui gave him space and silence. The rhythm suited him. He was able to examine things that he had placed a long time ago. Cannabis was one of them.
The Boston Celtics legend wasn’t just smoking. Nelson found himself in trouble on a small farm. It was overlooking the sea. He named it “Nellie Kush,” a hybrid of OG and Hindu Kush. The attention he gave reflected the precision that had once defined his coaching style.
“You have to treat it like a child,” Nelson said. “You have to water them. You have to have music for them. You have to bless them. That’s the whole process.”
There have been many more benefits. He said, Pot also soothes old pains, reduces stress and helps with pain from injuries. Alcohol no longer appealed. Cannabis provided relief without a hangover. Meanwhile, taking care of the plants has given the three-time Coach of the Year a sense of calm and purpose.
Related: Former NBA champion says he’s broke, overwhelmed by debt and child support after retirement: “I’m still trying to make money”
Cannabis culture
The road to “Nellie Kush” was not a solo journey. Nelson credited Nelson and Harrelson for introducing him to cannabis in the first place. They first connected at poker games in Maui. Cards, conversation, and a shared passion for marijuana are mixed in nature.
“They got me started,” Nelson said. “Hanging out with Willie and Woody, it felt normal. We’d sit, play, smoke pot, tell stories. I never thought I’d be smoking pot, but it became part of the rhythm.”
Interestingly, cannabis used to be a bridge for his former players.
Stephen Jackson, a well-known fan, recalled how open conversations with Nelson led to locker room tension and trust. Under Nelson, marijuana was not common. Jackson recalled getting the green light after a recent drug test in Utah. Nelson upset him and Baron Davis, showing that he understood their world outside the courtroom.
“It was cool, the fact that he (Nelson) knows what’s going on outside of the stadium with his players, which is great, man. We enjoyed it. That’s why we were a great team,” Jackson said in 2017.
Nelson’s relaxed style showed what was to come in the NBA. Marijuana laws have changed in recent years. The league – Adam Silver is the commissioner – no longer tests players for cannabis.
That change reflects nationwide trends.
In most US states, pot use is no longer illegal. Maui follows a similar pattern, and Nelson is clearly a fan of that.
“Now it’s more legal than it’s ever been. So I’m happy about that,” said the five-time NBA champion.
Related: Jason Williams recalls wild encounter with Michael Jordan on his golf course: “I didn’t want to let it go”
This story was published by Basketball Network on March 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court segment. Add Basketball Network as a Favorite Source by clicking here.
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