OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Keith Smart waited nearly 10 years for the chance to coach an NBA team. The league's winningest coach, Don Nelson, gave him that opportunity.

Golden State Warriors general manager Larry Riley introduced Smart as the new coach during a news conference on Monday, a day before the team opens training camp.

"It's no secret that Don Nelson wanted me to be a defensive coordinator," Smart said. "I still want to run and play fast, but we've added another element that allows us to play bigger and more physical from a defensive standpoint."

Smart had been a Warriors assistant for seven years and served as an interim head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, going 9-31. Nelson had the final year of his contract bought out last week.