The Dallas Mavericks have named Rick Carlisle their new head coach after inking a four-year contract with the former Indiana Pacers boss.

Carlisle, who succeeds sacked Avery Johnson, vowed to open up a Dallas offence that includes future Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd.

"When you play with Jason Kidd, you have to open it up," Carlisle said. "Our wings guys are going to have to get conditioned to really run. The thing Jason Kidd does better than probably any point guard in the league is push the ball."

Carlisle was the only candidate interviewed by the Mavs, and he brings an impressive track record to the job having led the Detroit Pistons (2003) and Indiana Pacers (2004) to the Eastern Conference finals.

"I think he embodies all the good things the Mavs are looking to accomplish - hard work, ingenuity, creativity," said outspoken Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. "We're really proud and excited to have him here."

Carlisle's first order of business will be to transform his roster, which had been criticized for being too slow for the fast-paced Kidd.

"If you're going to play a faster tempo offensively, there's an unbelievable physical commitment," Carlisle said. "It's probably going to be one of the tougher training camps. ... The summer our guys have - in terms of preparation and conditioning - is going to be absolutely critical."

However, despite a new found penchant for running, Carlisle stressed that the Mavericks must continue to stress Johnson's defensive principles.

"We got to be passionate and vigilant about what Avery (started) here," the coach said.

Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, a former NBA Most Valuable Player, and Carlisle already have forged a relationship - as Carlisle reportedly spent some time diagramming plays in Nowitzki's living room prior to his hire.

AFP