Rick Carlisle speaks out about the importance of the NBA World Championship in Dallas – NBA News
Rick Carlisle, the head coach who guided the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA World Championship last season, spoke about what the championship means to the city and the fans in a recent sit down. The Mavericks won the NBA Finals by beating the Miami Heat in 6 games.
It was the first NBA World Championship in the history of the Dallas Mavericks franchise. It was something the side has aspired to since eccentric owner Mark Cuban took over the franchise around a decade ago. He built the side up almost from scratch and transformed them into a consistent powerhouse of the NBA.
The Mavs reached the Finals before, back in 2006. However they lost out to the Miami Heat led by Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade. This time around it was the same franchise standing in their way, with an even more impressive line-up of LeBron James, Wade and Chris Bosh, but the Mavs just would not be denied.
Mavericks’ hero Dirk Nowitzki was the man who overshadowed everyone else in the Finals and delivered the first NBA title to his beloved franchise. Carlisle believes it was a special occasion and the importance of the win for the franchise, the city and the players was not lost on him,
"Watching film from last year, it becomes more clear what a special experience that was, what a special group of guys that we have," Carlisle said. "I think maybe more than anything, the magnitude of winning in Dallas. It's a city that's uncompromising in how important it is to be the best. I have no doubt that it's something that drives every one of our sports teams. It drove us very hard. Now our guys enter that pantheon of teams that have won a world championship in Dallas. Those guys are held in high regard, and our guys are deserving."
Mavericks’ fans, even the whole of the city, did go mad with joy after the win. Droves and droves turned out for the Trophy parade in the city and many of them were not Mavs fans but still happy at the success of a hometown team. Mark Cuban footed the bill for the whole thing.
Cuban also announced right after the victory that he might not get Championship rings for the team. The always outlandish Cuban said he was thinking of getting something trendier than the traditional championship jewellery for his teams.
The players and the coach weren’t exactly too keen on the idea, but the debate was stopped short because of the NBA lockout. Carlisle says he is still not sure what Cuban has in mind,
"I don't have details, I'm sure whatever is done will be appropriate."
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