Rick Carlisle is a cheat code. It's almost not fair

[jbk1234]

Easy to coach when you don't have any ego maniacs on your team.

I'm sure Mathurin is no picnic.

[tsherkin]

Carlisle's awesome, for sure.

[MasterIchiro]

Easy to coach when you don't have any ego maniacs on your team.

I'm sure Mathurin is no picnic.

Secret weapon last night too with 27.

Carlisle is BOSS.

[kazyv]

What dumbest organization on the planet would surrender the following?:

Luka
Brunson
Carlisle

If Brunson played with Luka, we would never know how good he could be. Him and Luka are top 3 in ballhandling time in the league, with Trae Young somewhere in the middel. Meaning they both need the ball to be who they are. So it would never be as good as people think.

Also, Luka and Rick would never work togheter in the long run. Luka needs a relaxed player coach. Rick's best teams are the pistons, pacers, Mavs and then pacers again. All balanced team with no superstar.

to be fair, there's a world where luka is playing off ball more from the start and develops differently leading to a more balanced team and allowing brunson to be developed alongside with him

[flow]

Carlisle IS one of the few legit good coaches but let's not give him more credit than he deserves. The Pacers have arguably the deepest team in the league and a well-constructed rotation of complimentary pieces. They're a very good team. Yes the Thunder have more talent but it's not an overwhelming advantage and wouldn't be them choking if they lost. Credit should go to the Pacers

To be fair - the reason those complimentary pieces are contributing is they got decent minutes in the RS and so far in the postseason as well (yes, I'm looking at you, JJ - your team played such an abysmal basketball that Delton Knecht couldn't make it any worse)

It's not just JJ. The vast majority of NBA coaches, both now & throughout history, feel the need to shorten their benches come playoff time, even when they were prominently utilized during the regular season. It's something I have never understood. Carlisle has 3 guys, all who have made significant contributions during this playoff run, that many coaches (including my team's coach, Bickerstaff) would have stapled to the bench once the playoffs started - McConnell, Sheppard & Bryant. Kudos to Carlisle for sticking with his rotations and leaning on his bench, instead of shying away from it while needlessly taxing the stamina of his starters.

.

[Duke4life831]

Coaches like Carlisle and Spo are rare in the NBA today. You kind of need 3 things to get this kind of impact from a coach in today’s NBA.

#1. You need an actual elite coach. There just aren’t that many in the NBA. Most are personality managers over actual in game impact coaches.

#2. You need a front office foundation that will allow the coach to coach. This is a player’s league and the majority of players want to be coached by a player coach. So that’s who front offices tend to look for and will side with the players over the coach.

#3. Players that are willing to actually be coached. Again this is a player’s league and they want to be coached by a players coach. If the top guys on the team don’t buy in, the rest of the team won’t. This is where a lot of tactical coaches get chewed up and spit out in the NBA.

Carlisle gets to coach a team of a bunch of guys that are willing to get coached. So because of that, Carlisle gets to actually make an impact as a coach. Then throw in, it’s not like the Pacers are a bunch of scrappy no name guys. Ya you got your TJ McConnell, but that’s a deep team with legit talent as well.

[shi-woo]

Carlisle IS one of the few legit good coaches but let's not give him more credit than he deserves. The Pacers have arguably the deepest team in the league and a well-constructed rotation of complimentary pieces. They're a very good team. Yes the Thunder have more talent but it's not an overwhelming advantage and wouldn't be them choking if they lost. Credit should go to the Pacers

Bad post, even if I do agree that the players need some praise for actually executing. Rick has been managing these teams like he's Bill Belicheck, and it's clear as day he's outcoaching Dags.

We all know about his adjustments games 1, most importantly sticking with Obi, and taking the ball out of Hali's hands and putting it in Nembharts and Nesmith's. Not many coaches stick with Obi there, he easily could have played Pascal 40+ minutes, but he didn't. How many coaches take that ball out of their superstars hand? Look at the rest of the East playoff teams, Cavs, Celtics, and Knicks all struggle with this, and it's why ultimately their offense became predictable. It takes a lot of balls to do that, let alone in game 1 of the finals.

Even the decision to hold his challenge till the end, and not calling the timeout on the last possession. We've already saw multiple times the opposite of what happens in that situation with OKC this post season.

Game two was a beat down, but then last night he again pushed all the right buttons. He's staggering his rotations, and allowing guys to play instead of adhering to a strict rotation like Thibs, MAzz, and Finch. Sheppard played a ton of minutes last night because he was competing on defense. He stuck with Obi over Pascal in the 4th because he was playing lights on and competing on both ends. Same with TJ. What coach does that? Sits their ANBA 2nd option, and runs a back up point in the 4th?

The players have 100% brought the energy and the execution, but Carlisle is pressing every correct button, and what he is doing on offense to this OKC offense is a masterclass. We are 3 games in and Dags has no idea what to do about it. So much off ball action, and you can't put Dort on everyone. Rick took what many thought was OKC's biggest strength this series, their size with the twin towers, and made one of those guys completely unplayable last night. 18 mins with 4 points and 3 boards for their 30 million dollar man who is now coming off the bench...

OKC can still win this series, but through 3 games the Pacers have founds ways to get OKC to play their game, not the other way around. Credit has to be given to the coach, he's now had his team overacheiving for 2 strait years being in the final 4 with multiple injuries (Mathurin last year, Jackson this year). His teams are ready to fight, and most importantly they believe in themselves.

[jowglenn]

Easy to coach when you don't have any ego maniacs on your team.

I'm sure Mathurin is no picnic.

Secret weapon last night too with 27.

Carlisle is BOSS.

What's interesting is that Carlisle has kept Mathurin on a very short leash over the last few years - pulling him from games when he has defensive lapses especially. Last season it was a running meme among the Pacers fans that Carlisle would pull Mathurin over tiny things. But maybe this has finally paid off.

He tightened the rotation considerably in these playoffs. Mathurin averaged 29 mpg during the regular season, and he's only averaged 16 in the playoffs. When he's not getting it done, Carlisle pulls him and he only plays 10 or 12 minutes. But he's had some great games and I think it's because Carlisle knows when Mathurin has it and knows when he doesn't. He lets him off the leash when he's cooking but benches him when he's not.

[flow]

Carlisle IS one of the few legit good coaches but let's not give him more credit than he deserves. The Pacers have arguably the deepest team in the league and a well-constructed rotation of complimentary pieces. They're a very good team. Yes the Thunder have more talent but it's not an overwhelming advantage and wouldn't be them choking if they lost. Credit should go to the Pacers

And Carlisle had a lot to do with that, too. Carlisle took the job prior to the 2021-22 season. Two years later, there was only 1 player on the roster that was there when he arrived. Turner. Carlisle undoubtedly had a heavy hand in the moves that were made and players that were acquired. No way he was going back to the Pacers for a second stint without assurances of authority.

.

[MasterIchiro]

I'm sure Mathurin is no picnic.

Secret weapon last night too with 27.

Carlisle is BOSS.

What's interesting is that Carlisle has kept Mathurin on a very short leash over the last few years - pulling him from games when he has defensive lapses especially. Last season it was a running meme among the Pacers fans that Carlisle would pull Mathurin over tiny things. But maybe this has finally paid off.

He tightened the rotation considerably in these playoffs. Mathurin averaged 29 mpg during the regular season, and he's only averaged 16 in the playoffs. When he's not getting it done, Carlisle pulls him and he only plays 10 or 12 minutes. But he's had some great games and I think it's because Carlisle knows when Mathurin has it and knows when he doesn't. He lets him off the leash when he's cooking but benches him when he's not.

Sucks for my Hornets. I wanted Charlotte to steal him.

Not happening now.

If the Pacers win Carlisle has a case for ownership to run it back. Even if they fall short, Rick has a very strong case for additions over subtractions.

[Woodsanity]

I'm sure Mathurin is no picnic.

Secret weapon last night too with 27.

Carlisle is BOSS.

What's interesting is that Carlisle has kept Mathurin on a very short leash over the last few years - pulling him from games when he has defensive lapses especially. Last season it was a running meme among the Pacers fans that Carlisle would pull Mathurin over tiny things. But maybe this has finally paid off.

He tightened the rotation considerably in these playoffs. Mathurin averaged 29 mpg during the regular season, and he's only averaged 16 in the playoffs. When he's not getting it done, Carlisle pulls him and he only plays 10 or 12 minutes. But he's had some great games and I think it's because Carlisle knows when Mathurin has it and knows when he doesn't. He lets him off the leash when he's cooking but benches him when he's not.

Mathurin is one of those 6th men players who is great when hot but when he is off he does not produce much value. Carlisle clearly knows how to best utilize Mathurin while a lesser coach might leave him out there when he isnt playing well.

[fanofthegreats]

Biggest coaching mismatch in nba finals history IMO. Rick is lapping that okc rookie

[tamaraw08]

Coaches like Carlisle and Spo are rare in the NBA today. You kind of need 3 things to get this kind of impact from a coach in today’s NBA.

#1. You need an actual elite coach. There just aren’t that many in the NBA. Most are personality managers over actual in game impact coaches.

#2. You need a front office foundation that will allow the coach to coach. This is a player’s league and the majority of players want to be coached by a player coach. So that’s who front offices tend to look for and will side with the players over the coach.

#3. Players that are willing to actually be coached. Again this is a player’s league and they want to be coached by a players coach. If the top guys on the team don’t buy in, the rest of the team won’t. This is where a lot of tactical coaches get chewed up and spit out in the NBA.

Carlisle gets to coach a team of a bunch of guys that are willing to get coached. So because of that, Carlisle gets to actually make an impact as a coach. Then throw in, it’s not like the Pacers are a bunch of scrappy no name guys. Ya you got your TJ McConnell, but that’s a deep team with legit talent as well.

In other words, Carlisle and Spo are great coaches who need a good FO and good players who listen and have the ability to execute .
But at the same time they are not magicians who can flip badly ran teams like Charlotte, Portland to take them to the playoffs.

[TacoLord]

I think the Pacers organization should put out a pre-emptive memo denying the Knicks interviewing him. Would be hilarious, and also true.

[boomershadow]

Easy to coach when you don't have any ego maniacs on your team.

Who is an ego maniac on the Bucks? Nuggets? Rockets? Lot of teams without ego maniacs that don't outperform their talent level like these pacers do

Teams can outperform their talent level on occassion, especially with good coaching. But if it keeps happening again and again it is probably an error in the talent evaluation.

[GQ03]

What dumbest organization on the planet would surrender the following?:

Luka
Brunson
Carlisle

If Brunson played with Luka, we would never know how good he could be. Him and Luka are top 3 in ballhandling time in the league, with Trae Young somewhere in the middel. Meaning they both need the ball to be who they are. So it would never be as good as people think.

Also, Luka and Rick would never work togheter in the long run. Luka needs a relaxed player coach. Rick's best teams are the pistons, pacers, Mavs and then pacers again. All balanced team with no superstar.

to be fair, there's a world where luka is playing off ball more from the start and develops differently leading to a more balanced team and allowing brunson to be developed alongside with him

Carlisle and Nelson wanted to trade Brunson and all of the mavs 2020 picks to move up for Halliburton. It's why it was no surprise Indy targeted Haliburton shortly after he arrived.

[Capn'O]

Coaches like Carlisle and Spo are rare in the NBA today. You kind of need 3 things to get this kind of impact from a coach in today’s NBA.

#1. You need an actual elite coach. There just aren’t that many in the NBA. Most are personality managers over actual in game impact coaches.

#2. You need a front office foundation that will allow the coach to coach. This is a player’s league and the majority of players want to be coached by a player coach. So that’s who front offices tend to look for and will side with the players over the coach.

#3. Players that are willing to actually be coached. Again this is a player’s league and they want to be coached by a players coach. If the top guys on the team don’t buy in, the rest of the team won’t. This is where a lot of tactical coaches get chewed up and spit out in the NBA.

Carlisle gets to coach a team of a bunch of guys that are willing to get coached. So because of that, Carlisle gets to actually make an impact as a coach. Then throw in, it’s not like the Pacers are a bunch of scrappy no name guys. Ya you got your TJ McConnell, but that’s a deep team with legit talent as well.

In other words, Carlisle and Spo are great coaches who need a good FO and good players who listen and have the ability to execute .
But at the same time they are not magicians who can flip badly ran teams like Charlotte, Portland to take them to the playoffs.

Spo might be. He's pulled together some pretty sub-par talent into winners consistently and gotten buy in from guys who wouldn't elsewhere. Carlisle is more like a cicada where every 17 years or so he has a perfect fit for him and just dominates everyone.

[MrGoat]

Was smart enough to get out of Dallas right when Nico was hired

[G35]

OKC got the better overall talent.

Indy has the much better coach (Carlisle).

That much is obvious.

This is only obvious when Indiana wins. Coaching is only considered elite when you win, winning is the ultimate validation. Look at Mike Malone fired at Sacramento despite having to deal with Demarcus Cousins, then going to Denver and bringing them their only championship, and then getting fired two years later......

[Effigy]

Coaches like Carlisle and Spo are rare in the NBA today. You kind of need 3 things to get this kind of impact from a coach in today’s NBA.

#1. You need an actual elite coach. There just aren’t that many in the NBA. Most are personality managers over actual in game impact coaches.

#2. You need a front office foundation that will allow the coach to coach. This is a player’s league and the majority of players want to be coached by a player coach. So that’s who front offices tend to look for and will side with the players over the coach.

#3. Players that are willing to actually be coached. Again this is a player’s league and they want to be coached by a players coach. If the top guys on the team don’t buy in, the rest of the team won’t. This is where a lot of tactical coaches get chewed up and spit out in the NBA.

Carlisle gets to coach a team of a bunch of guys that are willing to get coached. So because of that, Carlisle gets to actually make an impact as a coach. Then throw in, it’s not like the Pacers are a bunch of scrappy no name guys. Ya you got your TJ McConnell, but that’s a deep team with legit talent as well.

In other words, Carlisle and Spo are great coaches who need a good FO and good players who listen and have the ability to execute .
But at the same time they are not magicians who can flip badly ran teams like Charlotte, Portland to take them to the playoffs.

Spo might be. He's pulled together some pretty sub-par talent into winners consistently and gotten buy in from guys who wouldn't elsewhere. Carlisle is more like a cicada where every 17 years or so he has a perfect fit for him and just dominates everyone.

I don't agree with this. Carlisle teams are always better than you'd think they should be, just like Spo's.