Rick Carlisle Criticizes NBA Investigation into Pacers Fine
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle expressed his discontent with the NBA’s investigation that resulted in a $100,000 fine for the team for violating the player participation policy. Carlisle revealed that the league’s investigators did not communicate with the Pacers’ doctors or players before issuing the sanction. These statements were made during his weekly appearance on a local radio station.Carlisle added that during the interview process, he offered for the team doctors to speak about the situation, as it was documented by them, but the league declined the offer. They also refused to interview the players, which surprised the coach. The NBA, for its part, offered a different version of events.The league’s lawyer who was conducting the interview unilaterally decided that Aaron Nesmith, who had been injured the night before and couldn’t hold the ball, should have played in the game, which I find ridiculous.
Rick Carlisle
The league statement added that the Pacers confirmed they had provided all the requested information and that an interview with Carlisle or the team doctors was not necessary. Rick Carlisle, 66 years old, is in his 24th season as a head coach in the NBA, ranking 11th in wins with a record of 1,008-904. He won an NBA title as a player with the Boston Celtics in 1985-86, and as a coach of the Dallas Mavericks in 2010-11, in addition to being recognized as the league’s Coach of the Year in 2001-02. He recently announced his resignation as president of the National Basketball Coaches Association.The description of the process that led to the decision to fine the Indiana Pacers by coach Carlisle is inaccurate. An independent doctor led the medical review. In addition, the Pacers’ general manager and the team’s senior vice president of sports medicine and performance were interviewed as part of the process.
NBA Statement
