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Rick Carlisle in conversation with a referee
Photo: Keith Birmingham / AP
Only Gregg Popovich in San Antonio and Eric Spoelstra in Miami were in business longer than Rick Carlisle.
But now Dirk Nowitzki's former master coach and the Dallas Mavericks are going their separate ways after 13 years together in the NBA.
"After talking to club owner Mark Cuban, I informed him that I would not be returning to coach the Dallas Mavericks," Carlisle told ESPN.
That was his decision alone: "I am now looking forward to a new chapter in my career."
Carlisle had led the Mavericks around Dirk Nowitzki to the first and so far only NBA championship in 2011.
It was a great honor for him to work with players like Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, among others, said the 61-year-old: "Dallas will always be my home." The Mavericks confirmed the separation on Thursday evening.
Cuban also praised the outgoing master coach at ESPN.
“I love Rick Carlisle, he was not only a great coach, but also a friend and a close confidante," said the club owner. "Our relationship was so much more than just basketball, and I know that will never change. «
In 2021, Dallas failed in round one
There's a lot going on at the Mavericks right now.
On Wednesday, General Manager Donnie Nelson had already announced his departure, both sides parted amicably.
Like Nowitzki, Donnie Nelson (58) joined the Mavericks in 1998, and in 2005 he inherited his father Don (81) as General Manager.
Both had Nowitzki together with the club owner at the time, owner Ross Perot jr.
once visited Würzburg to persuade him to move to North America.
Dallas is no longer involved in the ongoing NBA season.
The team around superstar Luka Doncic lost in the first play-off round to the Los Angeles Clippers 3: 4 games.
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