DALLAS, Tx.—Former Indiana and Detroit coach Rick Carlisle will made it official Wednesday by signing a contract believed to be slightly more than $4 million per season. Carlisle will have a contract similar to former Mavs coach Avery Johnson.
Carlisle has a philosophy of historically playing a strong half-court defense. He is not one to go up and down the court. He is personally disciplined and the team will be just like the team under Johnson.
Like Johnson, Carlisle will have a business attitude, but display much less emotion facially or in his actions. What Carlisle may lack in intensity, he makes up for in being able to adapt quickly, and can change directions or game strategy on the fly.
Mavericks forward Jerry Stackhouse said, "Carlisle is the best guy for our team with our personality. He is the best fit without question."
Carlisle has led two different teams to the Eastern Conference finals, taking Detroit in 2003 and Indiana in 2004. This will be Carlisle's third NBA coaching job. He was the only candidate interviewed.
Age: 49
Previous Teams: Detroit 2001-03, Indiana 2003-07,
Career Record with Indiana: 182-147
Awards: NBA Coach of the Year 2001-02
Pro career: Played five seasons in the NBA with Boston, New York and New Jersey
Will Carlisle be able to do the magic expected of him? He will inherit a team that has made the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons, but been knocked out the last two times in the first round.
Time will tell, but are the players ready? Like Jason Terry would say, "We will do our best and then leave the rest up to the Lord."
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