Rick Carlisle Speaks on Coaching Dirk Nowitzki, Plans to Attend Hall of Fame Speech

Former Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle reflected on coaching Dirk Nowitzki during his time with the organization before coaching against them on Tuesday.

DALLAS — When the Indiana Pacers faced off against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, it was the first time that Rick Carlisle coached the visiting team at the American Airlines Center since resigning from his position in 2021.

There has been a significant amount of deserved reflection on the basketball legacy of Dirk Nowitzki in recent years. He played for 21 memorable seasons with the Mavs, won the first and only championship in franchise history, and has been honored in every way. He will earn the highest praise of all this summer — an induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

When asked to describe the legacy that Nowitzki left on the Mavs organization, Carlisle expressed a lot of gratitude for the opportunity to have coached him. Having a constant in Nowitzki afforded them a chance to win 50 games on a seemingly annual basis during his prime. 

"Probably the greatest stroke of good luck of my career was coming here when [Dirk Nowitzki] was in his prime," Carlisle said. "It allowed us to have a realistic shot at a championship — to win an awful lot of games..." 

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle reflected on Dirk Nowitzki's impact and plans to attend his Hall of Fame speech in August:

"Probably the greatest stroke of good luck of my career was coming here when [Dirk Nowitzki] was in his prime. It allowed us to have a realistic shot at a… pic.twitter.com/E3dlpoPrlp

— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) March 1, 2023

Carlisle described Nowitzki as being the most "coachable, historically great superstar" that he's been around. For someone that played for the Boston Celtics in the 1980s, that's massive praise. While 

"Being with him for all those years, you know, Jason Kidd certainly was a big part — Jason Terry. But Dirk was the constant. I mean the most coachable, historically great superstar I've ever been around, and can't wait to hear his Hall of Fame speech. I'll be there."

Nowitzki will be officially enshrined in the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 12. He will be joined by other NBA legends in his class, including Dwyane Wade, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, and Gregg Popovich.

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