Nerlens Noel has been widely perceived as being in the Rick Carlisle doghouse since being traded to the Dallas Mavericks from the Philadelphia 76ers prior to last year's deadline. While the Mavs big man has been out most of this season with injury complications, he refuted any rumors surrounding an alleged rift between him and his coach.
“Our relationship is good,” Noel said, according to Isaac Harris of Mavs.com. “Coach Carlisle is a good guy and a family man. He definitely understands me like I understand him. We’ve never had any type of conflict because at the end of the day we really understand each other for the most part.”
Noel has played in six of the Mavs' last seven games after returning from a thumb injury, still acclimating himself to the rest of the lineup and getting a feel for what his coach expects from him.
“We have gotten closer,” Noel said. “When I first got here I wasn’t too sure what to expect. I knew he was a great coach. We slowly started communicating more and being more open about things. Even through the summer when I stayed here for a little bit after the season working with him and trying to grow.”
The Mavs did not extend an offer his way this past offseason, which will make the 6-foot-11 center an unrestricted free agent this summer — giving him much to think about.
“Once this summer ends I’ll be working harder than I’ve ever worked,” said Noel. “Just growing in this league and being older. Getting the priorities right and evolving. My mindset has only grown stronger in what I really want in life and want from this game. Right when the season ends I will strictly be working on my game and staying to myself and just letting things play out.”
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