Mavericks Coach Rick Carlisle Calls Gregg Popovich 'Coach of the Century'

Fresh off being named NBA Coach of the Year, Gregg Popovich received some very high praise from the man who won the award in 2002.

According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle had this to say shortly before his team tipped off against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday:

"

Why don't we just give him Coach of the Century? I mean, he's the greatest. Obviously, [Coach of the Year is] very well deserved. They were almost a wire-to-wire top seed in the league, and he's the best. He's the best.

"

As if that wasn't enough, Carlisle has paid his respect to Popovich in the sincerest form of flattery as well:

This is the third time Popovich has captured the Coach of the Year honor. According to MacMahon, "He joined Don Nelson and Pat Riley as the only three-time winners of the award." Popovich's first two came in 2003 and 2012. 

But "Coach of the Century?"

Maybe if Carlisle's talking about the century that started in 2000—but even then—Phil Jackson's got that cornered, right? Or at least there's a debate: 

	Conference Championships	NBA Championships
Popovich	Four	Three
Jackson	Seven	Five

And if this imaginary award is based on the last century, you have to consider Red Auerbach as well. He won nine titles with the Boston Celtics, including eight straight from 1959 to 1966.

Popovich is definitely one of the best ever, and in my opinion, the best coach currently in the NBA. But I'm not ready to dub him as the best in 100 years yet.

Ask me again in July.

Andy Bailey covers the NBA for Bleacher Report.

Follow @AndrewDBailey