Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle is one of the best coaches in the game today, and he will face his ultimate test to further prove that next season.
With Carlisle leading the way, the Pacers have enjoyed a lot of success over the past couple of seasons. They are fresh off their first NBA Finals appearance in over two decades, and they made it to the conference finals in each of the last two seasons. While the players certainly deserve a ton of that credit, Carlisle's ability to implement the perfect system and get the best out of his players also played a key role in the team's success.
Next season, the Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton, who is out for the year due to an Achilles injury, and Myles Turner, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason. With next year potentially looking like a gap year for Indiana, Carlisle will have a great opportunity to remind the basketball world exactly who he is and what he is capable of.
The Pacers can exceed expectations next year
As it stands, many are expecting that the Pacers will be a Play-In team at best next season, even in a wide-open Eastern Conference. The team will go through its ups and downs, and it is obvious that they are going to lose a big part of their dynamic without Haliburton and Turner. However, they still have an incredibly talented roster, and they are more than capable of making some noise.
Another deep playoff run will be unlikely, but the Pacers should not be counted out. They still have a lot going well for them, even if it may look bleak at the moment. While most will keep their eyes on guys like Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and Isaiah Jackson, Carlisle will likely need to step up the most.
Carlisle has done a fantastic job of making the right adjustments and making the most out of bad situations since returning to Indiana. If there is ever a time for him to take this to another level, it's next season.
The Pacers are also among the most resilient teams in the NBA. They never back down or give up, regardless of how difficult a task they have in front of them. Additionally, they do their most damage when they are counted out, which is the exact position they are in right now.
It might be a little while before the Pacers return to legitimate title contention. However, until then, they still have a lot going well for them, and as long as Carlisle is still their head coach, they should be in a good position.