Coach Carlisle: A True One-Of-A-Kind

 

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Last night, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-93, and in the process, Rick Carlisle earned his 340th victory as the coach of the franchise. He became the team’s all time winningest coach, passing Don Nelson. Back in 2008, Rick Carlisle signed a four year deal to become the new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. In that time, his resume speaks for itself, especially considering the fact that Mavericks reside in the very difficult and deep Western Conference.

 

 

Obviously, his crowning achievement was helping the Mavericks capture their only NBA Championship, back in 2011, when they took down LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and the Miami Heat. In his six full seasons as Mavericks head coach, he has gotten the Mavericks to the playoffs in five of them. He has a 340-221, good for winning percentage of 60.6%.

 

One of the special things about Carlisle is his ability to form a unit full of new teammates, and really get the most out of them. Year in and year out, Carlisle seems to be handed a team filled with brand new players signed or traded for in the off-season, and is expected to do what he can with them. This year is no different. He will once again be given that same opportunity, and despite multiple analysts picking the Mavericks to finish dead last in the Western Conference this season, he has them off to a 2-1 start.

 

It has been reported that the Mavericks and Carlisle are currently working on an extension that will keep the head coach around for the foreseeable future. 

 

While everyone continues to doubt the Dallas Mavericks and their head coach, I won’t be one of them.