During the regular season, the question of the new face of the NBA has often invited itself to the debates. Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having made their place next to Nikola Jokic, LeBron James or Stephen Curry, to take over. But is it important? Rick Carlisle, a former player, knows something about it.
“I was drafted in 1984, in the middle of the NBA explosion with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. These were the two then Michael Jordan then for a few years “,, Recalls the Pacers coachwho then took control of a bench in the early 2000s, with Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant or Allen Iverson.
But with these finals between the Thunder and the Pacers, do we not attend a revolution? “Things change. The construction of the teams seems to evolve in a slightly different direction, if not significantly differently ”specifies Rick Carlisle. “There will always be stars but identification with a team could become more important than the simple aspect of stars. »»
“We go from a league where the insulation dominates to a more collective league”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton embody and symbolize the style of their team, the latter being completely linked to the star in question. The symbiosis is total, unlike all-stars associations which may not work and have no strong identity, except that of being a “big three”.
The Indiana coach tempers, however: it is not necessary to draw too rapid conclusion on a single duel in the finals.
“” You have to see in time because everything can change quickly ”, he specifies to finish. “The league is in good shape at the moment because there are many young talents, who have personality, who are great promoters of basketball with their way of playing, with their joy and their love. We go from a league where the insulation dominates to a more collective league. Oklahoma City plays like this, we also try to do it and time will say if it's the way to follow. But LeBron James and Stephen Curry are still the reference, even today. They were incredible. »»
