Rick Carlisle, the seasoned head coach of the Indiana Pacers, has adapted his coaching style throughout his career, especially regarding point guards. His new project with Tyrese Haliburton is an assignment that embodies this transformation. Together, they’ve forged a tight connection that has significantly raised the Pacers’ offensive ceiling.
So as the 2022-23 season played out, one of the most underrated stories was Carlisle’s groundbreaking decision to give up play-calling duties. This was a significant departure from his previous coaching philosophy, giving Haliburton more freedom to operate on the court. Tyrese Haliburton, one of the NBA’s brightest young stars, was on-board with this shift and adapted right away, building an apparent connection with Carlisle almost immediately. Their partnership has turned into the Pacers’ secret sauce to their offensive attack. They’re scoring a ridiculous 116.7 points per 100 possessions during the playoffs.
Carlisle has a long, storied past with developing point guards. He’s the guy who once coached a young Jason Kidd when he was an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks. With the Mavericks halfway through the 2010-11 season, Carlisle gave the offense over to Kidd. He was a maestro out there, managing the game, dictating the tempo. Reflecting on this experience, Carlisle stated, “What I learned my first year in Dallas was to give J-Kidd the ball and get out of the way, let him run the show, let him run the team.”
At first, Carlisle was reluctant to hand Haliburton the reins completely, but quickly realized he was working with an incredibly special young player. He admitted that their relationship blossomed when he learned to trust Haliburton’s judgment and ability to make plays. “Tyrese, very similar situation, but didn’t take half a season to figure it out,” Carlisle noted, drawing parallels between his experiences with Haliburton and Luka Doncic in Dallas.
Haliburton’s growth as a player has been defined by his dedication to the film room and the work to continue to hone his craft. He’s been known to watch tape of his games, even just breaking down his own makeables and dimes. Carlisle’s role in this development was instrumental and it’s not just about helping Haliburton learn how to study his film.
The ripple effect of their bond goes far beyond floor flair. Recognizing the importance of team chemistry, Carlisle arranged a dinner with Haliburton and newly acquired teammates Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson shortly after Indiana secured their trades. This small gesture helped emphasize Carlisle’s desire to make sure everyone on the team felt welcome.
Haliburton’s confidence has surged under Carlisle’s guidance. Former NBA player J.J. Barea observed, “When I see Haliburton playing for Rick, he’s free, man.” Barea further emphasized Haliburton’s growth: “He looks so free out there. He looks like he’s enjoying the game. He’s playing fast, very confident in what he’s doing. As a result, I believe Rick was able to get Haliburton’s level of confidence to be as high as it possibly could be.
This synergy between coach and player has not only boosted Haliburton’s performance but has revitalized the Pacers’ offense. Haralabos Voulgaris remarked on their compatibility: “Rick, at this stage of his career in particular, and Haliburton, just seem to be a perfect marriage.” He continued to say that Carlisle’s system gets the best out of their players talent-wise and has adjusted to the modern style of basketball today.
Haliburton himself acknowledged the respect he holds for Carlisle, stating, “When he gave me that nod, that was like the ultimate respect.” This mutual respect extends into their cooperation as they work together to develop offensive gameplans that play to Haliburton’s strengths.
Carlisle has had hard times before, recently a rocky exit from Dallas after a tumultuous relationship with soon-to-be MVP Luka Doncic. He’s found success playing alongside Haliburton. The coach’s open-mindedness and eagerness to learn has led to the cultivation of a culture Haliburton can flourish in.
Their partnership is still growing as they collaborate developing a potentially burgeoning offense with the Pacers. Fans and analysts alike are preparing for the postseason gauntlet that lies before them. Most importantly, they’ll want to see how Carlisle and Haliburton handle the growing pains that come with this tumultuous transition.
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