Carlisle Refusing to Raise White Flag Despite Makeshift Mavs' Roster

In the wake of the abrupt about-face by DeAndre Jordan, the Mavs’ plans were in shambles. And not just their blueprint for the 2016 season.

What about aging Dirk Nowitzki and his interest in a rebuilding roster? And what of head coach Rick Carlisle, asked to lead a team that might possibly tank? Will they stay? Will they be invested?

Despite being in the final year of a four-year contract, Carlisle said he has no plans to coach anywhere but Dallas.

“I love Dallas,” Carlisle said recently on KRLD-FM radio. “One of my policies is not to talk about my contract … but I have no plans on leaving.”

In a summer of bummers, that comes as at least a sigh of relief for bewildered Mavs fans. Despite the Plan B roster without Jordan or an above-average center, with Carlisle and Dirk the Mavs can’t be too bad, can they?

“Dirk's got two league years left on his contract; you’ve got to do right by him and give him some guys to go to war with,” Carlisle told the station. “I have no interest in just showing up and not trying to win games, that’s not what I’m about and that’s not what Mark’s about, either. We’re going to put together a team of guys that’s going to compete and we’re going to do our best. I’m not sure what roster you’re looking at, if you’re thinking we are not going to be good.”

The Mavs likely won’t raise a championship banner next season. But with Carlisle in control, sounds like they’re not going to raise a white flag, either.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

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