By Jaime Aron
Associated Press
DALLAS ó Rick Carlisle is still on the verge of becoming the next coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
Carlisle is the only candidate the team has interviewed since firing Avery Johnson last Wednesday. Negotiations turned serious over the weekend and have continued all week, but as of Wednesday night there were some points still not settled.
But the most important point ó Dallas wanting Carlisle and Carlisle wanting Dallas ó seems to be done.
iI think weíre seeing this through. Weíre fairly locked in at this point,î said Donnie Nelson, the teamís president of basketball operations. iEverything is going in a positive direction. Both sides feel good about the progress. Itís just a negotiation. They take time. … Itís like docking the Queen Elizabeth. Itís not as easy as whipping your sports car into the driveway.î
Carlisleís agent, Wayne LeGarie, was overseas and did not immediately return messages left by The Associated Press on his cell phone and at his office. He has been quoted as saying a deal could be done by today.