After a tough-to-swallow defeat in Game 7 against the Spurs on Sunday, Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle didn't waver in his support of his players -- especially Mavs superstar Dirk Nowitzki.
Per Brian Gutierrez of ESPNDallas.com, Carlisle was asked about Dirk's next contract with the team. His response is extremely telling of respect for the future NBA Hall-of-Famer:
Carlisle on Dirk’s next contract with Dallas: “Whatever it is, it won’t be enough."
— Bryan Gutierrez (@BallinWithBryan) May 4, 2014
Carlisle also echoed the sentiments of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, stating that limited roster change for the team could be an essential part of going forward through the offseason and into the 2014-15 NBA season:
Carlisle shared Cuban’s message: “The more continuity that we can have the better.” Carlisle said he’d love to have everyone back. — Bryan Gutierrez (@BallinWithBryan) May 4, 2014
The Dallas Mavericks were picked by many pundits to fall in anywhere from four to five games to the defending Western Conference champions, but had the Spurs on the ropes on several occasions -- taking the West's top seed to the very limit.