Carlisle hopes Mavericks retire Tyson Chandler's number
Tyson Chandler's two one-year stints (2010-11, 2014-15) with the Dallas Mavericks left a positive impression on head coach Rick Carlisle, who believes the 7-foot-1 center should be under strong consideration to one day have his number hung from the rafters at the American Airlines Center.
"We have nothing but the utmost respect for him," Carlisle said of the team's feelings towards Chandler, according to the Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko. "It's my hope - and this of course is not my decision - that one day he will get consideration to have his number retired here. I think he deserves that consideration.
"And I know Mark really has great respect for him, even though the way things went twice. There are people that feel he doesn't, but I know Mark has a lot of respect for Tyson and a lot of gratitude for what he did for us, as do I and our fans."
Chandler isn't particularly fond of the franchise these days, recently expressing animosity towards his former team for letting him walk in free agency on two separate occasions. He signed a four-year, $52-million contract with the Phoenix Suns this offseason after Dallas prioritized making a push for DeAndre Jordan.
Carlisle won't have the final say whether Chandler receives the prestigious honor or not, although he certainly feels his former man in the middle is deserving of being recognized to that degree.
"My opinion is that he's worthy and more than worthy based on history and just because he's such a special person on top of it," Carlisle said. "I know he's in a good situation and he's really going to help Phoenix."
Brad Davis (No. 15) and Rolando Blackman (No. 22) are the only Mavericks to have had their numbers retired by the organization. Dallas won their only championship in 2011 with Chandler playing an integral role as a defensive stopper around the rim, but even so, his short tenure should ultimately keep his No. 6 from being hoisted.
Only four players in league history have had their number retired after spending two or fewer years with the team.
Over the course of 149 games with the Mavericks, Chandler averaged a double-double of 10.2 points and 10.4 boards on 66 percent shooting, with a PER of 19.3.