With 8:10 left in the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and guard Rajon Rondo exchanged profanity-laced words last night over a difference in opinions about play calls.
According to ESPN Dallas, Carlisle stormed out on the American Airlines Center court to call a timeout and shouted at Rondo, who appeared to be ignoring a play call from the bench as he brought the ball up the floor. Rondo responded by shouting back at Carlisle. They exchanged heated words for much of the timeout, with assistant coach Jamahl Mosley at one point stepping in front of Rondo to prevent the point guard and coach from getting in each other’s faces. Carlisle replaced Rondo, who did not play the remaining 20 minutes of the game.
The Mavericks won the game and owner Mark Cuban insists, sh-t just happens. “S— happens. Not the first time, not the last time,” Cuban told ESPNDallas.com. “It’ll happen again. It’s not just Rajon. It’s a long season. In my 15 years, I’ve seen it happen more times than I can count, and we survive every time.” Either way, Rondo’s actions leave him suspended for one game. Considering Rondo has a reputation for being difficult to coach, the Mavs probably knew what they were getting into.
Watch video of the verbal exchange below.
