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NBA: Best player and coach pairing from each team’s history

By Tony Pesta

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
(Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) /

Best coach/player pairing in Dallas Mavericks history: Rick Carlisle & Dirk Nowitzki

The best player in franchise history matched with their most effective coach, Dirk Nowitzki and Rick Carlisle have a special relationship.

Taking a job with the Dallas Mavericks in 2008, Carlisle joined a Dallas Mavericks team that was struggling to get over the hump. Though Nowitzki was already an established superstar and MVP winner, he had failed to have success in the postseason.

Carlisle acted as Nowitzki’s coach for 11 seasons. During this time, Dirk was selected to seven All-Star games and four All-NBA teams. He revolutionized the game as a big-man with range, killing opponents with his patented one-legged fadeaway.

In 2011, the Mavericks embarked on an all-time great postseason runs. Knocking off Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas braced for a showdown with the NBA’s first superteam. The league stood in fear as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh barreled their way through the Eastern Conference.

Few people gave the Mavs a chance of winning the series. It appeared that Miami simply had too much star power. However, Carlisle had a beautiful strategy ready to be set in place by Dirk’s unbelievable performances.

Coming in to the 2011 NBA Finals as massive underdogs, the Mavericks prevailed in six games. Nowitzki averaged 26.0 points and 9.7 rebounds per game and hit nearly every clutch shot possible to help lift his team over the Heat.

Carlisle and Dirk had plenty of successful seasons together. Recording a winning season in eight of their 11 year’s together as well as four 50+ win seasons, the Mavericks held a place as one of the best teams in the Western Conference for an entire decade.