"What the hell was he thinking?"

By K. King (Dallas, Texas)
Images by Channing Jemerson

What was coach Rick Carlisle thinking when he chose to play Ian Mihinmi over Brendan Haywood in a game against the "Best in the West" showdown between the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk dressed in street clothes missed the game against the Spurs.

Coach Carlisle, fans I spoke with seem tho think that coach made a "stupid" decision playing Ian Mihimi and not Brendan Haywood. Talk about scratch my head? What the hell was he thinking?

What was coach thinking? "He's stupid" says fan as we walked out the American airlines Center after the game.. Makes no sense. Of course, in the post game interview, Carlisle attempted to explain his reason for his decision. We (media) left the interview with nothing.

However, Carlise did say he spoke with Haywood (Brendan) of his decision earlier before game time. Haywood hasn't been playing his best game. Not sure if something negative has gotten him in a funk thereby, affecting his game. Could it possibly be 'coaches decisions' made that lessens his minutes? Who knows? Whatever his reason, why the game against San Antonio, where a win for the Spurs was inevitable.

Oh yeah, the referees favored the Spurs too. No breaks for the Mavs. Surprised?

Can you say "fixed".