Rick Carlisle Criticizes NBA Fine
Rick Carlisle, head coach of the Indiana Pacers, has openly criticized a recent fine imposed by the NBA, labeling it as “shocking” and “ridiculous.” This comes in response to a $100,000 penalty tied to the league’s Player Participation Policy, centering on the participation of guard Aaron Nesmith in a game against the Utah Jazz on February 3, which ended in a 131-122 loss for the Pacers.
Details of the Fine
In a radio discussion with 93.5 The Fan on February 24, Carlisle disclosed his grievances regarding the fine, emphasizing that a league lawyer made unilateral decisions about Nesmith’s health, despite the player being unable to play due to an injury the prior night.
“I didn’t agree with it. They decided that Aaron Nesmith, who had been injured and could hardly hold the ball, should have played, which seems absurd,”
said Carlisle.
Pacers’ Struggles This Season
The NBA announced the fine on February 12, shortly before the All-Star Game, as the Pacers struggled with a poor season record of 13-37, placing them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Their difficulties this season have largely stemmed from injuries, notably the severe Achilles injury sustained by star point guard Tyrese Haliburton during the previous season’s finals, which left the team with a current record of 15-43.
Investigation Insights
Carlisle explained that during the league’s investigation, which he was not part of, the Pacers offered the NBA access to their medical professionals for insight into Nesmith’s condition. However, the league chose not to involve the team’s medical staff and instead relied on their own doctors, who reportedly did not examine Nesmith.
“They even suggested whether we should consider medicating him to play despite being 30 games under .500, which was quite surprising,”
Carlisle noted.
Comments on Other Players
Importantly, Carlisle did not comment on the status of Pascal Siakam, an All-Star forward who was specifically mentioned in the disciplinary letter, nor on another unnamed star implicated in the policy. The letter indicated that Siakam and this second player, possibly Bennedict Mathurin or Andrew Nembhard, could have played under modified conditions according to the policy, including reduced playing time, but were instead held out. Siakam’s absence was designated specifically for rest.
NBA’s Stance on Competitiveness
In a broader context, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver condemned the practice of prioritizing draft positions over competitiveness, stating that such actions undermine the league’s foundational principles.
“Overt behavior like this… will receive appropriate responses if it compromises the integrity of our games,”
Silver added, affirming ongoing efforts to strengthen league policies against tanking. Additionally, the Utah Jazz faced their own fine of $500,000 for similar infractions related to management decisions as part of the league’s stance on maintaining competitive integrity.
