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Cowlishaw: Of all the local coaches, Dallas Mavericks' Rick Carlisle has the most job security


Tom Fox/Staff Photographer/Staff Photographer

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle raises his arms in victory as he realizes they won the NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena Sunday, June 12, 2011 in Miami. The Mavericks won 105-95 to take the title.


Of all the local coaches, it's probably safe to say Rick Carlisle has the safest job. But who's next? Please don't say Schellas Hyndman.

You know I was on the SMU beat when they hired Schellas Hyndman. Yes. I am old. But going with The Big Four, as we like to say, Carlisle's job should be the safest. Washington would be next. Garrett and his hockey lookalike are tied for the most precarious spot, needing a successful season to stay gainfully employed.


Mavericks question. From a national perspective, why are the Mavs not viewed as a prime stop for big name free agents?

I don't think that's Dallas' problem. Not sure such a thing as a prime stop exists. Miami was not a prime stop until LeBron made it one in 2010. The Heat weren't stockpiling free agents before the summer of 2010. People talk Lakers as a prime stop, but who knows if Dwight Howard is happy enough to stay there? It mostly comes down to money. If you're Milwaukee or Utah or a few places players aren't likely to want to go (add Toronto to that list, players have no clue) then you're in trouble. I don't think Dallas has anything like that holding it back. But they aren't a prime stop now because why would you come here? It's a 25-30 team whose best player is in his 15th season.


I love Dirk Nowitzki, but I'm a little surprised at fans who feel we should expect Cuban to build a quality team around him. He's deserving of praise for all he's done, but no athlete really deserves that kind of consideration any more, right?

For me, the problem is fans who think free agents shouId line up to come here and play with Dirk. He's going into his 16th season next year. As good as he was Sunday, the end is getting closer.


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