However, it was also the most rewarding season the National Basketball League’s general manager had experienced.
Nelson, in his second year in charge of the league, was thrilled with what was achieved in 2020.
Its original plans had to be scrapped when Covid-19 hit.
An ambitious idea to have the men’s league run over six weeks in Auckland then came to life.
A similar concept was played out in recent weeks for the women’s league — 18 games in 18 days, all in Auckland.
Alongside that was a 3x3 tournament played over three days for the first time.
It all took a lot of work, but it was something Nelson was thrilled with.
"It was personally challenging, it was tough," he said.
"There were some really long days and nights, some very worrying times. But that’s no different to every other sport out there.
"I think right from the start I spoke immediately about changing and adapting.
"When you reflect on everything that’s been achieved, I genuinely think the NBL has been an industry leader in changing and adapting.
"For me, that’s the most pleasing thing."
Every game in each league was televised live.
It was a first for the women’s league, while the men’s competition had only returned to screens a year ago.
That led to 152 games, over 180 hours, being cast to fans.
There had been uptake overseas as well, both in ESPN picking up games in the United States and a streaming service being made available for other countries.
Nelson said that had helped boost the league’s international standing.
He said the league’s metrics in terms of viewership and interaction had all "exploded" by thousands of percent.
