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If Bill Belichick coached basketball, he would be Rick Carlisle — quirky, aloof, underappreciated and well-traveled.

Belichick and Carlisle are like malt liquor, an acquired taste.

The truth is, Carlisle is probably best suited to be a football coach. The NFL’s military-style leadership model, sleep-in-the-office lifestyle and Xs-and-Os-centric coaching are perfect for Carlisle.

He’s short on people skills and long on X-O. He’s the antithesis of Phil Jackson and Zen.

Lucky for the Dallas Mavericks — they needed an X-and-O fix in the NBA Finals.

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Related Topics: NBA, NBA Playoffs 2011, NBA Finals 2011, dallas mavericks, Rick Carlisle