I like a lot about RC, but observing his coaching over the years since the 2011 championship, I have to say it seems like it might have went to his head a bit. He seems more stubborn now, just based on many of the comments he's made post Mav's championship. A bit too cocky and sure that what he's doing is right without explanation. He has a ring and he's a top 3 or 5 coach the league, so why would we question his strategy? Just because he's doing it, even if everything we see happening says something is wrong, its right by definition.
The high powered offense that turns around and blows big leads when it most matters, repeatedly, at historic levels, is an example of where there might be room for improvement?
When questioned on it his comments seem more defensive than bothering to seriously consider.
As far as player relations, without getting into the player generalized comments, there's been a pattern too often where players minutes don't seem to connect with performance from game to game or even quarter to quarter.
In other words its way too often that a player can be having a great game, a great quarter where its clear to anyone watching the game that he's on fire or just really helping the team but Rick Carlisle will inexplicably bench that player the next quarter, the rest of the game, the next game. I think its based on the way he thinks of match up based minutes but its not really worked or made sense overall.
It's been particularly bad for centers post 2011 as he seems to be continuously searching for the prototypical modern center for his scheme, the Tyson Chandler.
It's really unfortunate because it kind looked like Dwight Powell was starting to become that guy then came the injury.
My issue is, if you're not that prototypical guy but you're still good or even exceptional in other areas, you're going to get marginalized badly in Carlisle's system.
It's not just big men though, guards can get the treatment as well. The prime example I can't forget was Roddy B. who was absolutely on fire, in the playoffs against Spurs and everyone, commentators included were shocked when Carlisle benched him and didn't bring him back into the game until it was almost over and too late to save Dallas from a big 'L'.
The high powered offense that turns around and blows big leads when it most matters, repeatedly, at historic levels, is an example of where there might be room for improvement?
When questioned on it his comments seem more defensive than bothering to seriously consider.
As far as player relations, without getting into the player generalized comments, there's been a pattern too often where players minutes don't seem to connect with performance from game to game or even quarter to quarter.
In other words its way too often that a player can be having a great game, a great quarter where its clear to anyone watching the game that he's on fire or just really helping the team but Rick Carlisle will inexplicably bench that player the next quarter, the rest of the game, the next game. I think its based on the way he thinks of match up based minutes but its not really worked or made sense overall.
It's been particularly bad for centers post 2011 as he seems to be continuously searching for the prototypical modern center for his scheme, the Tyson Chandler.
It's really unfortunate because it kind looked like Dwight Powell was starting to become that guy then came the injury.
My issue is, if you're not that prototypical guy but you're still good or even exceptional in other areas, you're going to get marginalized badly in Carlisle's system. It's not just big men though, guards can get the treatment as well. The prime example I can't forget was Roddy B. who was absolutely on fire, in the playoffs against Spurs and everyone, commentators included were shocked when Carlisle benched him and didn't bring him back into the game until it was almost over and too late to save Dallas from a big 'L'.