MILWAUKEE -- Former Milwaukee Bucks Coach Don Nelson said Wednesday 'personal factors' and not differences with owner Herb Kohl led to his resignation last summer.
Nelson, now an executive vice president with the Golden State Warriors, said in a statement through the Bucks he apologizes to Kohl, the Bucks and fans for the 'unfortunate speculation' his resignation caused.
The statement also said the Bucks will get a second-round draft pick from the Warriors in 1988, freeing Nelson to resume in a coaching or player personnel position with Golden State. There was a clause in Nelson's contract with the Bucks preventing him from coaching or taking a player personnel job with another club for two years, the period remaining on his contract with the Bucks.
Nelson said speculation about differences with Kohl had been 'blown out of proportion.
'There were personal factors outside of basketball and having nothing to do with Herb Kohl, which led to my resignation,' Nelson said. 'Sometimes, coaches over-step their bounds, which I was guilty of in my relationship with Herb.
'I acknowledge that some of the demands I made of Herb were inappropriate, including our major difference of opinion, my demand to be let out of my contract.
'Herb Kohl is responsible for the Bucks remaining in Milwaukee. It is unfair that some people used my resignation to criticize Herb as an owner,' Nelson said.
Kohl said Nelson's comments are 'fair and true,' and that the major difference between them was the contract obligations. Kohl said the Bucks have been 'fairly compensated' for freeing Nelson from his contract.
Jim Fitzgerald, principal owner of the Warriors, said 'I am delighted the Nelson matter has been resolved. I know that, personally, and apart from Herb Kohl, he was having a difficult time.
'The timing, though, was unfortunate since it was never my intent to do anything which could ever be construed as interfering with the relationship between Herb and Don.'
Nelson said, 'I also felt then, as I do now, that some players on the Bucks team might better perform with a new coach. Finally, after 11 years as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, it was simply a time for a change, for me and the Bucks.'
