Don Nelson has been invited to the NBA Finals countless times in recent years, always declining those opportunities.

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 1988, file photo, former Boston Celtics teammates Bill Russell, Sacramento Kings coach, left, and K.C. Jones, Celtics coach, meet before the start of the Kings-Celtics NBA basketball game at the Boston Garden in Boston. Only Russell and fellow Celtics teammate Sam Jones won more NBA championships as players. Jones went, winning was sure to follow,” the Celtics said in a statement before their Christmas Day game against the Brooklyn Nets. Jones reunited with Russell in Boston to win eight straight NBA titles from 1959-66.

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)BOSTON – Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn't stop Jayson Tatum from knocking down a “tough, tough, tough” shot. “Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to be in that position,” said Tatum, who scored 30 points. You just want to be in that moment.”Jaylen Brown scored 33 points for Boston, which entered the fourth quarter leading by 17 points. Credit to Tatum, he banked in a 3 at the end of the clock.”Antetokounmpo called it a “tough, tough, tough 3.” Tatum said the glass wasn't really part of the plan. Celtics: Newcomers Jeff Teague scored 19 points in 25 minutes, and Tristan Thompson had 12 points and eight rebounds.

FILE - This Sept. 30, 2018, file photo shows former Boston Celtics great Tommy Heinsohn prior to a preseason basketball game in Boston. Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, has died. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)BOSTON – Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster over more than 60 years was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, died Tuesday. Heinsohn was the NBA coach of the year in 1973, when the team won a then-record 68 games. “It’s hard to imagine the Boston Celtics without Tommy Heinsohn,” the team said in a statement.