The NBA coaching carousel is already at full speed with Rick Carlisle deciding to part ways with the Dallas Mavericks.
Carlisle spent 13 seasons as head coach of the Mavericks, he led the team to the 2011 NBA championship. NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted the breaking news, last Thursday.
The news of Carlisle moving on from Dallas was proceeded earlier this month by Brad Stevens getting promoted from head coach to the President of Operations for the Boston Celtics after the retirement of Danny Ainge. Portland, meanwhile, decided to move on from Terry Stotts, the second winningest coach in franchise history. Indiana and Orlando also decided to move on from their respective head coaches, Nate Bjorkgren and Steve Clifford.
As if that wasn’t enough, 24 hours before the Carlisle news dropped, the coaching carousel picked up speed with Washington parting ways with Scott Brooks and New Orleans doing the same with Stan Van Gundy.
If you’re counting along with me, that’s seven vacancies that need to be filled.
I can only wonder how NBA commissioner Adam Silver feels about all this shaking and baking off the court during the meat and potatoes part of the playoffs.
Let’s get back to Carlisle and the Mavericks
Wording is everything, and this is evident in Wojarnowski’s tweet. Allow me to explain…
First, he mentions the championship. While Carlisle led Dallas to an NBA championship, however, it was also 2011. That’s ten years ago. In a league where team owners tight-rope back-and-forth between trusting the process and needing a new voice in the room, an argument can be made the Carlisle-Mavericks era went as far as it could and maybe even should’ve hit the wrap-it-up button earlier than it did.
Then there’s the part where Carlisle informed team owner Mark Cuban he’s not coming back to coach the team. Was this just his decision? There are multiple reports alluding to tension between Carlisle and Mavericks’ superstar Luka Doncic. Was that enough of a blasting cap to detonate this parting of the ways? Or could it be the commotion going on in the team’s front office?
Lastly, he mentions how long Carlisle has been on the job. 13 seasons is a long time in professional sports with one team. Now add on whatever unrest is presently going on there (if true), along with another year removed from that 2011 championship. Well, it’s not much of a surprise both sides appear to be at peace with this decision.
Furthermore, it’s likely just time for both sides to move away from one another. It doesn’t mean Carlisle and Cuban are now supposed to become bitter enemies. Sometimes, a relationship just runs its course. There’s no bitterness, it’s just business, not personal.
In his statement, Carlisle expressed his excitement for the next chapter of his coaching career. He has seven vacancies already on the board for consideration. Dallas, meanwhile, has their work cut out for them. They need a new general manager and, now, a new head coach. It’s a new day on the horizon for both sides.
Image: Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images
