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“There’s a lot of strategy, cohesiveness, and conversations about one game, whether on the plane or a boardroom, at halftime, or in the huddle,” Pierce told HoopsHype. “There’s a lot more strategy that’s not presented well in our sport, and I think that’s the next layer for us as we continue to evolve as a sport. How much detail and what details go into it?”
Pregame Routine
Before Indiana’s nationally televised ESPN game, Carlisle is pulled in many directions for an hour. However, there’s one call he always makes in that span. Carlisle always has a FaceTime chat with his 90-year-old mom, Joan, and his 94-year-old dad, Preston, before each game. If there’s time, he’ll also FaceTime with his daughter, Abby.
First, Carlisle prepares for his pregame media availability by meeting with Michael Preston, Pacers Vice President of Basketball Communications. Then, Carlisle chats with Jeremiah Johnson for an annual pregame chat. Shortly after that, he chats with ESPN, telling Michael Grady and Doris Burke that Haliburton has “changed the trajectory of the organization” when asked about his All-NBA point guard. Lastly, Carlisle tells his players that Madison Square Garden will have as close to playoff energy and intensity this early in the season as any game they’ll play.
In-game Chats
During the game, Indiana’s coaches communicate with each other as much as the players. Often, you’ll see assistant coaches and the head coach chatting together on the bench on television.
According to Carlisle, he and his staff discuss substitution patterns and try to maintain certain matchups throughout the game. In other instances, the coaches communicate the number of fouls for an opposing player and plot to attack him on defense.
For the coaches, communicating with each other on the sideline is easier than relaying messages to the players during the game due to the crowd noise and constant player movement on the court.
“We don’t have a green dot on a helmet,” Weinar told HoopsHype, referring to how NFL coordinators can speak to players in their helmets. “There’s no communication like that or cards on the side with lineups and things like that. We have to do it fast, and we have to be aligned and affirmative.”
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Timeouts
During today’s NBA game, thousands of actions are happening with less scripted offense than ever, so it’s critical not to overload players with play calls or overarching defensive principles.
“It’s hard enough for us as coaches to process things,” Carlisle told HoopsHype. “I played in the league for five years. You come over during a timeout while huffing and puffing, and it’s just survival. You’ve got to understand what’s happening in their minds with even the best players.”
Carlisle, who began coaching in 1989 as an assistant for the New Jersey Nets, emphasizes that a coach’s communication with players during a game needs to be as simple and affirmative as possible.
“Instead of saying, ‘Don’t do this,’ it’s ‘Do this’ or ‘Keep doing this,’” Carlisle explained. “Instead of saying, ‘Don’t turn it over,’ you say, ‘Let’s take care of the ball.’”
While the NBA has emphasized reading and reacting, timeouts are the best opportunity for coaches to implement their strategy during the game.
“Those huddles are one of the few opportunities where we get to orchestrate something, whether it’s a defensive coverage or offensive set versus a weak defender, and exploit something,” Pierce told HoopsHype. “We do that all the time. That’s not always what’s presented. I think it’s really important to understand how much goes into one play and why.”
If something needs to be addressed in the huddle, Carlisle will have Boucek explain a defensive adjustment, and Pierce will coordinate the offense with the players. Boylen is also nearby, showing video clips of what must be adjusted.
“Jim Boylen is a man of great humility and strong convictions who’s one of the best defensive minds in our game,” Carlisle told HoopsHype.
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Halftime Adjustments / Postgame Speech
Carlisle, who’s spent most of his life playing and coaching in the NBA, warns against too many rah-rah speeches during an 82-game season, ideally.
However, with the Pacers down 16 on the road, Carlisle met with his assistants to review the box score, go over video clips with Weinar, make adjustments, and try to motivate his team with a brief speech.
“Play for each other!” Carlisle implores his Pacers team in the locker room. “This is NOT a ‘find a rhythm’ game! It’s a smashmouth rivalry culture game! We have to be totally together.”
Weinar and Pierce review clips with the players and emphasize in a stern and assertive voice they’re getting outrebounded, which the staff outlined as the key statistic in every win between the two teams last season.
It was too late, however, as New York trounced Indiana 123-98. After the loss, Carlisle addressed the team about what changes were needed. Eventually, Indiana got revenge with a 132-121 home victory on November 10.
