Rick Carlisle is heading for the NBA Finals, the second-ever head coach, this time with the Indiana Pacers.
Last time, Carlisle was with the Dallas Mavericks and won the championship by defeating the powerful Miami Heat led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosch.
Rick Carlisle’s team was the underdog of that time, and the same story remains. Because many people haven’t chosen the Indiana Pacers in the younger electric side of OKC Thunder.
However, Carlisle thrives in such circumstances and hopes that his side will win again.
Stephen A. Smith recently praised Carlisle for coaching in the series with the New York Knicks.
After another great season on his team, a well-received analyst called for Carlisle to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Carlisle has changed the Indiana Pacers since moving to the team in 2021.
They have their first NBA Finals since 2000 and have a budding talent-filled roster that has the energy to compete every night.
Lowe praises Carlisle, and regardless of the Pacers Thunder Finals outcome, the 2002 Coach of the Year deserves to be one of the other elite coaching names in the Hall of Fame.
“The conversation this guy belongs to now, the number of victory climbs very high.
“He’s just a great coach. He should make a Hall of Fame. It’s hard to put him like Pop or Phil, but he deserves to be in the main historical territory, regardless of what happens in this series,” Lowe said.
Several elite names, including Greg Popovich, Pat Reilly and Bill Russell, are Hall of Fame enlistments for their coaching contributions in the NBA.
If taken up, Carlisle will become the 21st NBA coach and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame for his work in the league.
Some celebrities, such as Red Auerbach, who won nine championships with the Boston Celtics, and Phil Jackson, who had a stint with the Chicago Bulls and La Lakers, are also part of the list.
The Pacers showed off why they were part of the NBA Finals all season.
The franchise has not had a successful postseason since its Paul George days, but Carlisle has changed things for them a lot.
He will always be a legendary coach, but the victory certainly solidifies his Hall of Fame status, already putting him among the elite names there.
