Carlisle: Gritty, Never Grand

On Wednesday, the Indiana Pacers fired Coach Rick Carlisle. This season, the Pacers finished 35-47. Their first non-playoff campaign since 1988-1989.

Overall, Carlisle has logged a 281-211 ledger. In Detroit, he tallied a 100-64 record. In Indiana, he chalked a 181-147 board. Combined, Carlisle registered five playoff appearances and three division titles. However, he never scored a conference championship.

Carlisle has ascended unproven talent. He developed Richard Hamilton and Ben Wallace. With that stated, Carlisle could not control volatility. Ron Artest and Jamaal Tinsley pranced unpunished. Most damning, Carlisle is sans glamorous wins. Glamorous wins brand the career.