Nelson can boast a world of experience

When Don Nelson was playing for the Celtics in the 1960s and '70s, he spent as much time as possible conversing with Red Auerbach. And when Auerbach took his show on the road, Nelson went along.

"My fondest memories of Red were when he was GM," Nelson said last night at TD Banknorth Garden before coaching the Golden State Warriors against the Celtics, "and he used to come down early for the pregame shootarounds, then I would go to his office and talk.

"We went on trips to Burma, Japan, China. I was his 'schlepper,' he'd bring me along to do the clinics."

Nelson did not notice many NBA prospects in foreign lands in those days but his imagination and sense of adventure were likely enticed by the experience. By the '80s, Nelson's eyes were opened to the possibilities of bringing in prospects with unpronounceable names and unstoppable offensive games.

This time, the idea of a foreign exchange was propounded by Nelson's son, Donn, who had been performing for Athletes in Action, a semiprofessional traveling team.

"He said there were some good players and I needed to see some of them," Nelson said. "We took a chance on Sarunas Marciulionis and we were fortunate it worked out."

The arrival of Marciulionis with the Warriors in 1990, followed by other Lithuanians, Russians, and Yugoslavs, opened the door to the NBA's importing of talent. When rosters were announced at the start of this NBA season, 54 players (about 12 percent of the league) were listed as having arrived directly from foreign countries.

The Europeans were playing basketball the way Nelson had learned the game; they were concerned with teamwork, finding the open man, dribbling with either hand, the basics.

"They are taught how to play away from the basket," Nelson said of foreign players. "Big players are taught to play like smaller players. It's not all one-on-one, there is more passing."

With last night's victory, Nelson, 66, improved to 1,203-894 as an NBA coach, second to Lenny Wilkens (1,332) in victories.

"I don't feel worthy," Nelson said of the possibility of surpassing Wilkens. " I don't look forward to when I get there. Lenny is a gentleman, a great guy, great coach."

Nelson's latest foreign star is Andris Biedrins, a 20-year-old Latvian. Biedrins was averaging 29.5 minutes per game and had started 21 times before last night. He scored 35 points, missing only one shot, and had 18 rebounds in victories over Sacramento and Houston Dec. 12 and 14. But in the next three games, Biedrins shot 7 for 22 and totaled 17 points and 28 rebounds.

"He has hit a wall lately," Nelson said of Biedrins. "He has played a lot and he has worn down a little bit. But he is a very nice player, he rebounds every night."

Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.