PHILADELPHIA -- Fate played a cruel trick on Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle.
As a kid growing up in upstate New York, Carlisle was a huge fan of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers, of course, have had numerous unfriendly clashes with the Boston Celtics throughout the year.
That's where Carlisle was handed a mean curveball.
"When I was in high school the Sixers were my favorite team,'' Carlisle said after Tuesday's shoot around at Wells Fargo Center. "I loved Dr. J (Julius Erving), I loved Bobby Jones.
"Of course, the Celtics were the team that I hated. And I got drafted by them.''
The Celtics drafted Carlisle on the third round as the 70th overall pick in 1984. As far as his fascination with the Sixers go, Carlisle said:
"We took a couple of family trips to Philadelphia when I was in high school. I was just a big Dr. J fan, for no good rationale reason.
"I had no hope of ever playing like him.''
Carlisle's Mavs will face the Sixers at 6 tonight at Wells Fargo Center.
-- Dwain Price
Follow me on Twitter
@dwainprice
Comments