Isiah Thomas talks about the importance of a good coach.
Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Pistons icon Isiah Thomas emphasized the importance of a good coach in the making of a legend. Thomas opined that Rick Carlisle, the head coach of the Indiana Pacers would be the right fit to help Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers to flourish. Notably, Carlisle, who has been into the coaching role for the past 23 years, guided the Pacers to their first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years.
Not only this, but in Game 1, Indiana recorded a stunning comeback win, owing to the dramatic last-second shot by Tyrese Haliburton. Following their staggering performance, Thomas, a two-time NBA champion, talked about how coaches have played a crucial role in the making of legends. He gave the example of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan and said that they didn’t become who they are today until Phil Jackson, one of the most successful coaches in the NBA, coached them.
Thomas appeared on the pre-game show on ABC with Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, and told the former, “You went to the NBA Finals, but you didn’t win an NBA championship until you met Phil Jackson.” He added, “Kobe Bryant did not become Kobe until Phil Jackson got there. Jordan did not win until Phil Jackson got him.”
Isiah Thomas Heaps Praise on Rick Carlisle After Indiana Pacers’ Commendable Start to NBA Finals
As the Pacers kicked off the NBA Finals 2025 with a staggering win, the 12-time NBA All-Star heaped praise on Rick Carlisle. He said, “You’ve got a coach in this series by the name of Rick Carlisle, 65 years old, and we saw him the other night run a triple stagger that none of these OKC players had seen before. Rick Carlisle is bringing out some old-school stuff… OKC is playing against an old-school offense, five-six-seven players in double figures.”
Talking about Carlisle’s coaching style, Thomas said that the former brings a different style of gameplay, which the Thunder aren’t used to facing. He said, “Sometimes they come down and they don’t even dribble the ball in half court, and they’re passing, moving, and cutting, and it ain’t no isolation, one on one, shaky-shaky-shaky-shaky go left. This is a different style of basketball that OKC ain’t used to playing against.”
As far as the NBA Finals 2025 are concerned, the Thunder made a sound comeback in Game 2, and recorded a 123-107 win to level the series.