Carlisle: NBA failed to consult team physicians prior to imposing $100K penalty
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle stated on Tuesday that the NBA’s investigators did not consult with team physicians or players prior to imposing a recent $100,000 penalty for breaching the league’s player participation policy.
Carlisle shared these remarks during his weekly segment on local radio station 107.5 The Fan.
“The league attorney conducting the interview seemingly unilaterally concluded that Aaron Nesmith, who had sustained an injury the previous night and was unable to grip the ball, should have participated in the game, which appears absurd,” Carlisle remarked in his most detailed comments regarding the matter since the February 3 game. “And during the interview process — I was not present but I learned the specifics — we inquired if they wished to consult our doctors about it since it was something documented by our medical staff. They declined, stating they did not require that. They spoke with their own doctors, who did not assess Aaron Nesmith.
“We also asked if they wanted to speak with the [players], and they indicated they did not need to, which was surprising to me, and during the interview, they even asked if we considered medicating him to participate in a game when we were 30 games below .500, so I was quite taken aback.”
The NBA held a contrasting perspective regarding the events.
“Coach Carlisle’s account of the process that led to the decision to fine the Indiana Pacers is not accurate,” a statement from the league indicated. “An independent physician conducted the medical review. Furthermore, the Pacers’ general manager and the team’s senior vice president of sports medicine and performance were interviewed as part of the procedure.
“The Pacers confirmed that they provided all requested information to the league and reported that an interview with coach Carlisle or a team physician was not deemed necessary.”
The 66-year-old Carlisle is currently in his 24th season as a head coach in the league and ranks 11th in all-time victories with a record of 1,008-903. He won an NBA championship as a player with the Boston Celtics in 1985-86, as the coach of the Dallas Mavericks in 2010-11, and was honored as the league’s Coach of the Year for the 2001-02 season. He recently announced his decision to step down from his long-standing role as president of the National Basketball Coaches Association.
