DALLAS — Tears streamed down Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle’s face after a tribute video honoring him played on the American Airlines Center video boards before Saturday night’s game with the Dallas Mavericks.
It was the first time Carlisle had faced the Mavericks since the franchise’s all-time winningest coach resigned last summer, ending a 13-year tenure highlighted by the team’s only NBA championship in 2011.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” Carlisle said of being overcome by his emotions. “The only other time I’ve felt that kind of emotional moment was when we raised the banner the first game of the lockout-shortened season of ’11-12. It was just the same kind of feeling. I was not expecting anything like that. It was a wonderful gesture, very much appreciated.”
After Dallas’ 132-105 victory, a long line of Mavericks coaches, executives and players exchanged hugs and pleasantries…
