2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[KillerLeft]

I absolutely think that it degenerated into a more hero ball system as Rick lost interest toward the end of the year (and yes, I think he was burning out on being here, and that could have multiplied when he realized that Indiana might have been open -- JUST my opinion, no sources, but I wouldn't be surprised if, in some interview 10 years from now or in someone's autobiography in the future, that this was confirmed.

Now THIS is some dot-connecting that I agree with. And, to be fair, @"Kammrath" often pointed out during the season that he felt Carlisle didn't have the "fire" he seemed to have in previous seasons. 

My take is that he played his Luka relationship really conservatively, letting himself get pushed around too much, knowing that taking the kid on aggressively (which might have needed to happen) might have resulted in disaster for himself and/or the team. I think this sucked the life out of him over time, and while it's obviously insane to imagine someone not wanting to be here with Luka (and he knows this) I think he was unconsciously ready to bounce when he did (though still having the utmost respect for Luka's future and talent).