The most successful era of Dallas Mavericks basketball has ended. With the departure of Rick Carlisle, the last remnant of the 2011 champion Mavericks is gone. Carlisle was signed to a 4 year contract on May 9, 2008 to replace Avery Johnson.
The Mavericks had lost the last 3 playoff series of Johnson’s career. The series which shall not be named, the biggest upset in NBA playoff history, and a gentleman’s sweep at the hands of the nascent Chris Paul. Those series losses had one thing in common, the great Dirk Nowitzki was contained.