Rick Carlisle revealed why he benched Pacers starters early in the Game 2 defeat to the Celtics

“We weren’t giving up.”

Rick Carlisle on why he pulled his starters early: The Pacers opened the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals dealing with a 13-point deficit. While the prospect of a comeback felt like an uphill battle, particularly on the avenue in Boston, it was far from a settled scoreline.

So it was once with a degree of shock that Pacers head instruct Rick Carlisle had bench participant Doug McDermott — having now not performed serious minutes because the begin of the playoffs — on the ground to open the fourth. He later replaced various different starters, giving bench gamers (including McDermott, who played the complete quarter) an extended look.

Asked after the 126-110 loss about why he pulled his starters comparatively early, Carlisle argued that it was not a white flag.

“To seem at some guys that I thought needed a look,” Carlisle explained, per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. “McDermott went in there and performed well. Isaiah Jackson delivered a lot of fight to the game. Jalen Smith hasn’t had lots of an opportunity to play in the playoffs, so I wanted to see where he was once at.

“We weren’t giving up,” Carlisle insisted, “but it was an chance to get some energetic sparkling guys in there to fight. They did some desirable things.”

Indiana managed its single best possible point-total of any quarter in the recreation in the fourth (30), however it was nevertheless less than Boston in the same length (33).

One mainly conspicuous absence over the closing 9:25 of the sport was ahead Pascal Siakham, who seemed to get some thing he wanted offensively, posting 28 factors on the power of thirteen of 17 shooting.

“The guys who had performed to that point, Pascal was once very tired,” Carlisle said.

Trivia: Rick Carlisle was once firstly drafted as a player by means of the Celtics in the 1/3 round of the 1984 NBA Draft. Can you title the number one standard pick from that year?:

(Answer at the bottom.)

Hint: In the NCAA tournament prior to that year’s draft, Carlisle’s Virginia Cavaliers lost to this player and the Houston Cougars in the Final Four.

Scores and schedules:

The Celtics overcame the Pacers 126-110 to take Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals and a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 receives underway in Indiana on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Tonight, PWHL Boston will be on the road in Minnesota for Game three of the Walter Cup Finals at 7 p.m. The collection is tied 1-1.

Also tonight, the Red Sox begin a three-game collection at domestic against the Brewers at 7:10 p.m.

Extended highlights: If you missed whatever from Game 2, here’s your rewind.

On this day: In 2008, the Celtics defeated the Pistons 94-80 to win Game three of the Eastern Conference Finals. Boston took a 2-1 sequence lead, and notched a first street win of the playoffs.

Daily highlight: Though the Oilers received in the end, Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger made a first-class shop to deny Edmonton movie star Connor McDavid.

Trivia answer: Hakeem Olajuwon

Was There Anytime Michael Jordan Beat Larry Bird? Find out

Did Michael Jordan ever overcome Larry Bird? Find out who reigned supreme!

Head-to-Head Record: Michael Jordan vs. Larry Bird

IN THIS ARTICLE

• Michael Jordan vs Larry Bird: Let’s seem to be returned at the rivalry
• Michael Jordan vs Larry Bird: NBA Championship titles
• Michael Jordan vs Larry Bird: Career Earnings

Michael Jordan and Larry Bird were locked in a legendary rivalry during the Nineteen Eighties and early 1990s. While Jordan is broadly regarded the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), interestingly, when it comes to head-to-head matchups, Bird has the higher hand in some aspects.

When it comes to normal season records, Bird’s teams gained 17 out of 28 games towards Jordan’s Bulls. Regarding statistical averages in head-to-head matchups, Jordan has 33.5 points per game (PPG) and Bird has 26.9 PPG, and 8.6 rebounds per sport (RPG).

For the playoff record, Larry Bird holds a clean sweep. Bird boasts a perfect 6-0 report in opposition to Jordan in the playoffs. Michael Jordan may want to in no way defeat Bird in the playoffs. Bird’s Celtics even swept Jordan’s Bulls twice in the first round, in 1986 and 1987.

Michael Jordan vs Larry Bird: Let’s look lower back at the rivalry

Michael Jordan and Larry Bird’s rivalry is viewed one of the best in NBA history. The rivalry peaked in the 1980s, with each players getting into the league in the early 80s; Jordan on the Chicago Bulls and Bird on the Boston Celtics. These teams had been Eastern Conference rulers and frequently met in the playoffs.

Both gamers pushed each different to grow to be better. Jordan famously said Bird was “God disguised as Michael Jordan.” The Jordan vs. Bird debate for the title of “Greatest Of All Time” continues to this day.

Michael Jordan vs Larry Bird: NBA Championship titles

Michael Jordan received 6 NBA championships all with the Chicago Bulls. He has two three-peats. MJ received championships in three consecutive years from 1991-1993 and 1996-1998. Jordan was once also named Finals MVP for all six championships.

On the other hand, Larry Bird earned three NBA championships all with the Boston Celtics). He accomplished a three-peat from 1984-1986. Interestingly, Bird was once additionally Finals MVP for both his 2d and third championships.

Michael Jordan vs Larry Bird: Career Earnings

Michael Jordan earned extra than Larry Bird at some point of their NBA career. Jordan earned around $93 million playing in the league. He held the file for the absolute best one-year NBA contract for over 30 years with his $33.14 million revenue in 1997-98.

FYI, if adjusted for inflation, it’s over $62 million today! MJ additionally capitalized on his repute thru the Jordan Brand with Nike. His complete internet well worth is estimated to be round $1.7 billion.

On the other hand, Larry Bird earned round $24 million enjoying in the NBA. His net worth is estimated to be around $75 million.

Note: NBA salaries have skyrocketed in recent years. Players today make drastically more than Jordan or Bird did in the course of their primes.

Paul Pierce Admits That He Hasn’t Met Larry Bird

You’d suppose that Paul Pierce and Larry Bird would have met pretty a few instances over the years, as they’re both Boston Celtics legends. It turns out, though, they haven’t, with Pierce sharing why it is the case.

“I saw Larry once, he got here to the (TD) Garden when we played Indiana,” Pierce said on Undisputed. “… I was once on the Celtics taking part in Indiana and he got here and they gave him (a) standing ovation. That’s the closest I’ve seen him. He in no way came round Boston, I suppose he had a lot of troubles with the former proprietors and he just never came virtually lower back to Boston.”

“The 75 crew anniversary, he did not exhibit up to that,” Pierce stated. “I thinking we might have an possibility there but no haven’t.”

Paul Pierce and Larry Bird have never met? pic.twitter.com/CYMRsBa53q

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 21, 2024

Pierce stated Bird did not exhibit up for their championship get together in 2008 either. When co-host Skip Bayless requested if he’d have loved to select Bird’s brains on basketball, he cited he simply would have. Pierce added that he is grateful he did get to communicate to Celtics legends like Bill Russell and Tom Heinsohn at least.

While some might think that Bird simply may not be all that fond of Pierce, that does not appear to be the case. Bird only met Jayson Tatum for the first time at the 2024 All-Star Game. Even that meeting only took place I assume due to the fact the recreation was once in Indiana. If that recreation was held elsewhere, Bird and Tatum would possibly have by no means met either.

Issues with Celtics ownership may properly have played a component in Bird never showing up to Boston, but I assume a massive phase of that is also the truth that he has been part of the Indiana Pacers agency for so long now. Bird took over as head educate for the Pacers in 1997 and later grew to be president of basketball operations for the franchise in 2003. He held that role for more than 10 years over two separate stints and is now a marketing consultant for the Pacers.

It is as an alternative fascinating that Bird’s identify has come up when Indiana and Boston are dealing with off in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite all that he executed with the Celtics at some point of his taking part in career, there is no doubt Bird would be rooting for the Pacers. It seemed like they might simply win Game 1 too, but ended up losing 133-128 in overtime.

Larry Bird’s Incredible Celtics Career

Bird was once chosen with the sixth pick out of the 1979 NBA Draft with the aid of the Celtics, however he only ended up joining the crew a 12 months later. To say he was once well worth the wait, would be an understatement.

Bird gained three titles, two Finals MVPs, and three MVPs for the duration of his time with the franchise. He was a 12-time All-Star and made 10 All-NBA teams in complete as well.

Bird would structure one of the most iconic rivalries in NBA history with Magic Johnson and the two helped take the league to new heights. Had it no longer been for these two, the NBA as we comprehend it might not have existed at all.

Back injuries intended Bird had to stroll away from the game sooner than he’d have liked. He completed his NBA profession with fantastic averages of 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks per recreation and went down as an all-time magnificent

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar explains why Larry Bird was superior than Dirk Nowitzki…”Larry knew where to be on the court to be the most tremendous for his team”

Former Dallas Mavericks great Dirk Nowitzki was regularly compared to Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird. Both had been huge men who may want to stretch the flooring and consistently hit the outside shot, which includes the three-pointer. Knowing each Dirk and Larry, you could pick out both one of them and stay with the results.

However, the Los Angeles Lakers’ all-time great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar thinks Larry Legend was once better than the German forward. According to Cap, Larry was once a higher chief and all-around player.

“No way that Dirk Nowitzki is higher than Larry, and Dirk is a high-quality — he’s an All-Star. Absolutely, any time he’s been on the All-Star team, he’s deserved it. But Larry, I think, had greater going in phrases of leadership,” said Kareem.

Bird used to be one of a kind

Kareem knew Larry Legend nicely because their teams met three instances in the NBA Finals during the 1980s. Bird’s Celtics beat Kareem’s Lakers in 1984, however the Purple and Gold defeated the Men in Green in 1985 and 1987. Bird was league MVP at some stage in three straight seasons from 1984-86 and Finals MVP in 1984 and 1986.

Meanwhile, Dirk led the Dallas Mavericks to their only NBA title in 2011. Nowitzki received league MVP honors in 2007 and used to be the Finals MVP in 2011. But whilst Nowitzki was once exceptionally a scorer, Bird could do a lot more than just scoring for the Celtics. And Larry Legend constantly knew when to choose his spots.

“If you take the 48 minutes of the game, for each and every 2nd on that clock, Larry knew the place to be on the court to be the most effective for his team. And Dirk doesn’t play the sport that way. He’s a extent shooter. He’s a streak shooter, and he’s top notch at that — and he’s had a extremely good career; I’m now not attempting to knock him, but Larry is one of a kind,” added Kareem.

Kareem additionally known as Dirk a one-trick pony

In any other interview, Kareem also stated that Nowitzki did not have a dominant NBA career because, apart from scoring points, he did not do a good deal on the basketball court. Abdul-Jabbar stated that if he were a better all-around player, Dirk would’ve gotten extra credit.

“I do not think that he was once able to have a dominant career due to the fact he couldn’t do different things. If he could have shot like that and rebounded and played defense and blocked shots, then he would have been all-around, and he would have gotten extra credit. He was like a one-trick pony,” the six-time NBA MVP said.

There’s no doubt that Dirk is an all-time remarkable and one of the first floor-stretching huge men in the league. However, Larry Legend clearly had extra in his bag than the Mavs legend. Bird was a better rebounder, defender, and passer than Nowitzki. The German native was once a gorgeous leader, too, however there was once just some thing about The Hick From The French Lick’s presence that commanded greater on the basketball court.

Celtics icon Paul Pierce slams the comparisons between Luka Doncic and Larry Bird

Mavericks celebrity Luka Doncic stands to lose in a head-to-head evaluation with Celtics tremendous Larry Bird, according to Paul Pierce.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is carving a name for himself in the NBA, however he continues to draw comparisons to Boston Celtics great Larry Bird due to sure similarities in their game. But some other Celtics legend in Paul Pierce begs to fluctuate and seeks to quit the comparisons.

Pierce said on Undisputed Live that hearing the names of Doncic and Bird together in the same sentence “is hurting my ears.” He additionally has Bird triumphing more head-to-head categories over Doncic.

“Let’s quit with the comparisons here,” Pierce said. According to him, Bird wins in the shooting, passing, speed, and IQ categories, while Doncic would win over Bird in phrases of scoring and handles. “I go speed, Bird. It’s very close,” he delivered with a chuckle.

Luka Doncic carving very own identify en route to turning into all-time great

Despite being worn-out of the Doncic-Bird comparisons, Paul Pierce lauded Doncic as one who is making a title for himself in the league. However, he mentioned that Doncic is nearer to some other legendary participant in LeBron James as they reflect every different in more categories, but with much less athleticism.

“I think Luka is carving out his very own niche. He’s been All-NBA [First Team] four times, he should win a championship this year. He’s on his way to becoming an all-time great. We’re speakme about one of the pinnacle five, 10 players to play the game,” Pierce added.

“Will Luka get there? Numbers-wise, he’s getting there. Bird [won] three straight MVPs, he modified the game, he made us watch basketball. In his 2nd year…he received a championship, who does that?” Pierce said. “He is in all likelihood the European LeBron James because [of] the way he can score, the way he can pass, the way he rebounds, and the way he controls the game. I’ll provide him that, he’s a less athletic LeBron.”

“Let’s cease with the comparisons… He [Luka Doncic] is on his way to being an all-time great, but we’re talking about one of the pinnacle five or 10 players to ever play the game.” Paul Pierce is not a fan of the Luka/Larry Bird comparisons 👀 (via @undisputed)

“Let’s stop with the comparisons… He [Luka Doncic] is on his way to being an all-time great, but we’re talking about one of the top 5 or 10 players to ever play the game.”

Paul Pierce isn’t a fan of the Luka/Larry Bird comparisons 👀

(via @undisputed)pic.twitter.com/6R7pqrdTvc

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 21, 2024

Luka Doncic drawing Larry Bird comparisons through the years

Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic has been drawing comparisons to Celtics superb Larry Bird in the past few years due to his apparent lack of speed, which was extra than offset via his crafty moves on the floor.

“I performed with Bird. For three years straight, I watched, and that was once the feeling when you watched him each single night. Magic Johnson used to be the equal kind of player. Really, LeBron James is the same kind of player, too. These guys can do whatever on a basketball court,” then-Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle said of Doncic in 2021.

Robert Horry, a former veteran NBA forward, chimed in a 2022 episode of The Byron Scott Podcast that Doncic’s slow moves are deceptive and knew very well how to use his actions to his advantage.

“You seem to be at Bird and said, ‘Man, I could’ve stopped him due to the fact he is slow’. Someone like Luka now. If you watch Luka, Luka is so freaking slow and you are like, ‘Why can not they cease that?’ When you’re artful and you understand how to play, it’s all you need,” Horry said.

Mavericks trying to get over the hump in Doncic’s fourth playoffs appearance

Despite displaying flashes of greatness, Luka Doncic has now not made it out of the Western Conference, now making his second look in the Conference Finals this season. In 2022, the Mavericks have been ousted by way of eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors, 4-1.

Since joining the Mavericks in 2018-19, the team has seemed in the playoffs 4 of six times, with their different two playoffs appearances ending in back-to-back first spherical exits in 2020 and 2021.

In 12 playoff video games this season, Doncic is producing per-game averages of 27.3 factors on 42.3% field intention shooting, with 9.7 rebounds, 9.1 assists, and 1.4 steals on forty two minutes per game.

The Mavericks open their Western Conference finals sequence on the street in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, May 22, at 8:30 p.m. ET. Should the Mavericks prevail in getting past the Timberwolves, they may additionally stand to face the Celtics, who are favored to come out of the Eastern Conference.

Diego de la Paz has lived and breathed sports during most of his life. A former song and area varsity athlete, he has had the uncommon opportunity of protecting the NBA, UFC, boxing, and professional tennis on the floor for the duration of his journalism career. He is also working as a play-by-play commentator for recreational sports leagues in his spare time.

Paul Pierce wants the comparisons between Luka Dončić and Larry Bird to end

“Bird modified the game, he made us watch basketball.”

Luka Dončić may also be on his way to becoming one of the greatest NBA gamers of all time however he’s no Larry Bird.

At least that’s what former Boston Celtics great Paul Pierce said when requested if Dončić is the next Bird.

“Can we stop with this?” Pierce stated on Undisputed. “Let’s quit with the comparisons here.”

“I suppose Luka is carving out his own niche,” Pierce continued. “He’s on his way to becoming an all-time top notch but we’re speaking about one of the top 5 or 10 players to ever play the game.

“Bird modified the game, he made us watch basketball.”

.@PaulPierce34 says STOP with the Luka & Larry Bird comparisons:

“We’re talking about one of the Top 5 or 10 players to ever play the game.” pic.twitter.com/h06BlZMjqC

— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) May 21, 2024

Pierce did feel like it was once fairer to examine Dončić to extraordinary NBA great, LeBron James.

“He’s the European model of LeBron James, just less athletic than LeBron,” stated Pierce. “It have to be an honor for Luka to be in the identical evaluation as Bird.”

When you ruin down their careers, it’s now not even close. Bird is genuinely the better participant and, as Pierce pointed out, was once already an NBA champion two years into his career, with various greater NBA championships and MVP trophies ahead.

Perhaps the higher evaluation is to every other Dallas Mavericks great, Dirk Nowitzki. Both came from Europe, each were scoring machines and, maybe soon, each will have championships.

[Undisputed]