Rick Carlisle is headed to Germany this week to spend some quality time with Dirk Nowitzki, but Carlisle will be hard pressed to top the experience he had Tuesday.

The Mavericks' new coach teamed with Jerry Stackhouse and president Donnie Nelson to host about 50 kids at American Airlines Center, courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The kids, all either suffering or recovering from traumatic illnesses, were treated to a tour of the Mavericks' locker room and training facilities, then went through a clinic for an hour on the practice court.