The Indiana Pacers have tried method after method, with stars of all kinds, to finally reach the NBA Finals. They did so after defeating the New York Knicks in six games with confidence. This was a daunting task, as New York has some of the league’s most passionate fans under Madison Square Garden.
Indiana was led by Tyrese Haliburton, who averaged 21.0 points, 10.5 assists, and 6.0 rebounds, shooting 45.5% from the field in 36.8 minutes. He did have a poor game two and five, but like the dynamic superstar he is, Haliburton shined with 21 points and 13 assists to send New York home.
The mind-boggling debate within Indiana is that Haliburton was not the best player; it was Pascal Siakam. He posted 24.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 52.4% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the arc. Hence, he won the Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
Despite having a duo who denoted New York for six games, the Pacers’ winning ingredient to make it to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 was their head coach, Rick Carlisle.
The Indiana Pacers are proof that head coach Tyronn Lue should currently be in the hot seat
Executive Lawrence Frank has shown strong indications that head coach Tyronn Lue will not be fired soon, but evaluating the Indiana Pacers’ construction may prompt a rethink of his judgment.
Rick Carlisle is the epitome of elite coaching, as he makes immediate adjustments on both ends for the Pacers, effectively studies game film through X’s and O’s, and finds some way to utilize everyone.
To the last point, Thomas Bryant was DNP’d in games three and four but recorded 11 significant points in game six, with three energy-filled three-pointers. Ben Sheppard is also another example of utilization at its finest.
Moreover, Lue has strengths, which justifies why Frank seems hesitant even after three straight first-round exits, but his weaknesses became more apparent with the Pacers entering the final round.
One of Lue’s few, yet drastic, flaws is that he allows too much time to pass before adjusting in the way fans anticipated. This ties more closely to the game plan and starting lineups, as he does just fine when it comes to benching someone mid-game for atrocious shooting or defensive blunders.
That said, Lue will be around for next season, but he should be in the team’s hot seat if real success is not obtained.