I remember the first year of the Dallas Mavericks and how ecstatic I was when I could sit out by the “wash-house” with my radio plugged into the outdoor outlet and listen to the first game of the ’80-‘81season for this expansion club in the NBA and continue to follow them for 15 wins and 67 losses that first season. Dick Motta was their coach, and Norm Sonju was the “decision-maker.” My favorite players that first year were Brad Davis, Abdul Jeelani, Clarence Kea, Bill Robinzine, Geoff Huston, and Jim Spanarkel. They were a “motley crew” (not singers), and I “loved” them and especially their coach—DICK MOTTA!
The Mavericks have had a few coaches during the past 40 years and recently “lost” another one, which I figure you realize by now if you have any interest in the team. But did you know the following?
1. Donnie Nelson, recently released as the General Manager of the Mavericks after about 13 years at the helm, even remaining after the “firing” of his father, who was the coach prior to Avery Johnson….. said this about Carlisle, “We want Rick to be our Jerry Sloan,” who coached Utah for more than 20 years.
2. Carlisle apparently “quit” and was not fired— maybe out of support for an “old boss” and friend, Donnie Nelson…..maybe somewhat due to seeming tension between him and his continually “budding” superstar, Doncic!
3. He only named two players when thanking folks who had helped him along his ride—Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd.
4. He has/had two years remaining on his contract and apparently was not “forced out.”
5. Six former assistant coaches under Carlisle have become head coaches in the NBA.
6. Carlisle has been an NBA coach for 19 seasons and became the head coach of the Mavericks in 2008. He had been with Detroit for two and Indiana for four before coming to Dallas.
7. His overall record in the NBA is 836 wins and 689 losses. His 13-years record with Dallas is 555 wins and 478 losses.
8. Rick is 15th in regular season NBA coaching wins.
9. It appears that Coach Carlisle will now coach the Indiana Pacers for a possible four years!
10. Owner Mark Cuban continues to refer to Carlisle as a good coach and a good friend.
11. Carlisle was born in New York in 1959, played for the NBA Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and New Jersey Nets, mostly as a 6’ 5” tall shooting guard after being one of the all-time stars for the University of Virginia (’82- ’84), starting along with Ralph Sampson in ‘82-’83.
12. He is one of only eleven people to win an NBA Championship both as a player and as a coach.
13. It appears that Jason Kidd will be the next Mavericks coach. If so, I hope his tenure as a coach will be as productive as his final playing days with the team!
And, as much as I will probably complain about the attitudes of some of the NBA players and coaches and owners and about the prices of tickets and concessions and about the “politicizing” of sports and the total over-commercializing at the expense of loyalty and unity, I will much more than likely be watching game after game next season and comparing “today” to the games and “stars” of “the olden days.”
Long live the memories of “Wilt” — “Doctor J.”- — Dick Motta ----- Brad Davis — Charlie Beasley ----- Nate Ganger — Jim Gudger — Sam Walker ----- and dear ol’ E.T.S.U.!
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