Mavs looking to hire Carlisle


By PETER VECSEY and TIM BONTEMPS

May 3, 2008 -- Rick Carlisle won't be reunited with former boss Donnie Walsh with the KnicksNew York Knicks .

Sources told The Post last night that the former Pacer and Piston coach, who interviewed with Walsh for the Knick coaching job Wednesday, has agreed to terms with the Mavericks to replace Avery Johnson.

Johnson, who was 194-70 during the regular season and 23-24 in the playoffs over 31/2 seasons in Dallas, was fired after the Mavericks fell to the Hornets in five games in the first round of the playoffs - the second straight first-round exit for the team.

Maverick owner Mark Cuban wasted little time in his search for a new coach. After firing Johnson on Wednesday, Cuban quickly moved to interview, and then hire, Carlisle.

The 49-year-old Carlisle ran the Pistons from 2001-03, going 100-64 in the regular season and 12-15 in the playoffs. He also was named the 2001-02 NBA Coach of the Year.

After Carlisle was fired by Detroit and replaced by Larry Brown following the 2002-03 season, he was hired by Walsh to coach the Pacers. In four seasons with Indiana, Carlisle was 181-147 in the regular season and 18-17 in the playoffs.

Carlisle was fired by Indiana after the team went 35-47 in 2006-07, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
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It's gonna take a heck of a lot more than this coaching change to turn around the Mavs.

Your right. It won't matter who's driving the stage coach if we don't get some different horses pulling it.

The statistics - on paper - don't look much better than Johnson's. Fired - losses in the playoffs -

Are they getting someone better - or just someone different? IDK - I've never paid any attention to the man. Anybody know? Anybody want to venture a guess?

Rick Carlise is a good coach. He will/would be challenged with this roster. Chemistry and attitude changes are going to be needed before the Mavs hang a banner in the AAC.

Not impressed - I was hoping for a bigger name... wish they could've snagged up Larry Brown before the Bobcats got to him.

Bring back Don Nelson or hire the Suns head man either way trade Kidd for Nash, it worked once.