One of Rick Carlisle’s best coaching jobs came in 2011, and we’re not talking about pushing the right buttons that got the Mavericks the NBA championship that season.
Sure, that was impressive.
But more jaw-dropping – or maybe jaw-clenching? – was that Carlisle got Mark Cuban to agree to a gag order. It was self-imposed, sort of. But certainly it had Carlisle’s blessing.
The outspoken owner of the Mavericks at the time stopped holding court with media members during the NBA Finals. Did it make a difference? It certainly took some of the focus off of the officiating, which always is a topic in the playoffs.